Sunderland and Leeds United eyeing £13.4m former AC Milan midfielder ahead of Premier League return – reports
Sunderland and Leeds United eyeing £13.4m former AC Milan midfielder ahead of Premier League return – reports
The 76-cap Croatia international is reportedly open to a Premier League move after his Atalanta contract ends
Sunderland are reportedly weighing up a move for experienced Croatian midfielder Mario Pašalić as he prepares to leave Atalanta at the end of his contract.
According to Sports Boom both Sunderland and fellow newly promoted side Leeds United are exploring a potential free transfer for the 30-year-old, who is set to become a free agent on June 30th.
Pašalić has enjoyed a successful spell in Serie A and remains a key figure for the Croatian national team, having earned 76 senior caps. He played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s third-place finish in Italy’s top flight last season and is understood to be open to a move to the Premier League.
Atalanta are reportedly interested in extending Pašalić’s stay at the Gewiss Stadium, but no agreement has yet been reached. The midfielder originally joined the club on loan from Chelsea in 2018 before making the move permanent in a deal worth around £13.4million.
Pašalić’s previous clubs include AC Milan, Monaco and Spartak Moscow, and his blend of technical quality and top-level experience would bring immediate pedigree to Sunderland’s midfield options.
Pašalić has represented Croatia across multiple youth levels, earning a total of 30 appearances and 11 goals across the U14, U16, U17, U19, and U21 age groups before stepping up to the senior side.
