OH NO: “Missed opportunity for the Black Cats” Sunderland would have sealed a deadline Transfer shocker of SIGNING Champions League veteran midfielder who was once Jurgen Klopps favorite.
**Did Sunderland Attempt a Summer Move for Former Liverpool Record Signing?**
Reports suggest that Sunderland might have tried to secure a summer transfer for a player who was once Liverpool’s record signing. The Black Cats were evidently eager to bolster their midfield during the summer transfer window and succeeded with the acquisitions of Salis Abdul Samed and Milan Aleksic.
However, it’s now being reported that former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita was also on Kristjaan Speakman’s radar, but the deal ultimately fell through due to disagreements over personal terms.
Guardian journalist Ed Aarons disclosed on X, formerly known as Twitter, that “Naby Keita is in talks with Istanbul Basaksehir over a potential move from Werder Bremen. The former Liverpool midfielder also had interest from Sunderland but couldn’t agree on terms.”
Keita joined Liverpool in 2018 from RB Leipzig in a substantial £50 million deal. Unfortunately, injuries plagued his time at Anfield, limiting him to just 89 Premier League appearances before his release at the end of his contract.
Keita moved to Werder Bremen in the summer of 2023, but he quickly fell out of favor, making just one Bundesliga start before being suspended by the club following an incident in which he refused to board the team bus.
Given his recent decline and reports of unprofessional behavior in Germany, Sunderland might have dodged a bullet, though the prospect was still intriguing.
**Don Goodman Optimistic About Sunderland’s Promotion Prospects**
Sunderland have made an impeccable start to their Championship season, leading some to wonder if they can turn that into a serious promotion challenge. Former Sunderland striker and Sky Sports Championship expert Don Goodman believes they can.
Goodman suggests that Sunderland fans should be “optimistic” about their team’s promotion chances this season. Under new manager Regis Le Bris, Sunderland have won all four of their opening games against Cardiff, Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley, and Portsmouth.
These victories were achieved despite the departure of star player Jack Clarke, a sale many feared would jeopardize Sunderland’s promotion hopes.
Speaking to Sunderland Nation via Oddspedia, Goodman admitted that he wasn’t initially convinced Sunderland could achieve promotion with Clarke in the squad. He highlighted concerns about the lack of an experienced striker and the club’s policy of signing only young players. Goodman noted that these factors likely contributed to former manager Tony Mowbray’s departure.
Despite these concerns, Sunderland’s strong start has led Goodman to reconsider, especially given the unpredictability of this season’s Championship. He believes the league offers a better opportunity for clubs like Sunderland to push for promotion.
Goodman also noted that the relegated teams this year—Burnley, Sheffield United, and Luton—might not be as strong as last season’s relegated sides, making the promotion race more open. Sunderland’s early success, including victories over Burnley and Portsmouth, has positioned them well in the competition.
Looking ahead, Goodman remains optimistic, although he acknowledges that tougher tests lie ahead, particularly against Middlesbrough. Nonetheless, Sunderland’s perfect start to the season has been impressive, and Goodman believes they have every reason to remain hopeful as the campaign progresses.