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Sunderland target 'on the verge of £21.4m' transfer as manager urges club to sanction deal Sunderland transfer news as Ernest Poku nears a move and the Black Cats brace for a Champions League offer for Chemsdine Talbi The final weeks of the transfer window are upon Sunderland as Regis Le Bris prepares his team for Premier League and European action. There remains work to be done. Belgian veteran Thomas Meunier has already arrived at the Stadium of Light, while the Black Cats have said goodbye to Nazariy Rusy, Eliezer Mayenda, Timothee Pembele and Ahmed Abdullahi. Much of Sunderland's attention, in and out of the club, appears to be on the wing. Chronicle Live takes a look at some of the latest news and rumours concerning transfer plans. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Follow the Chronicle’s Sunderland AFC page for more news and analysis Talbi race Galatasaray are interested in signing Chemsdine Talbi this summer per Yeni Asir, via Sport Witness. The Turkish side are said to have initiated a move as they eye a possible replacement for Baris Yilmaz. The Turkey international has been the subject of interest this summer, and Galatasaray want at least €50million (£42.84m) for his signature. That would give them substantial funds to try and convince Sunderland to part ways with Talbi. The 21-year-old Moroccan is said to be admired by Gala boss Okan Buruk, and there is a belief that he could help the club's Champions League ambitions. Chronicle Live says: "Sunderland will understandably be reluctant to part ways with their young talent. Of course, Champions League football could prove a draw, but at least Regis Le Bris can offer European football of his own on this occasion." Target “on verge' of Premier League move Bayer Leverkusen ace Ernest Poku is on the verge of a transfer to England, according to Bild. Sunderland are said to be interested in the Dutchman with a potential fee expected to be in the region of £21.4m. A deal will free up Leverkusen to re-sign Moussa Diaby, who has also been linked to the Black Cats. The 22-year-old Poku is touted as a potential replacement for Bertrand Traore following his exit at the end of last season. Chronicle Live says: "Sunderland have seen success with talent from Leverkusen before and Poku would offer the club some flexibility on the wings. There is room for growth, and signing the player for a modest fee in the current market ensures there is room for profit down the line." Manager wants Catamo transfer Mozambique manager Chiquinho Conde wants to see Geny Catamo given the opportunity to move to Sunderland. Sporting CP are reluctant to sell the 25-year-old, and Condeo advocates for the winger to be afforded the chance to test himself in another league. “He also wants to take this opportunity because football is all about timing, and this will affect him mentally,” Conde told Antena 1, per Sport Witness. “I honestly think Sporting, sooner or later, will have to let him leave, if it also benefits the club’s structure. Of course, I imagine he’s going through a period of great anxiety. I also think it’s time for him to prove himself in another league.” “I think it’s the ideal time for him to leave," he added. "As national team coach, I’d be grateful because we’d have a player with extra motivation, and the national team would benefit enormously from that move from a sporting perspective.” Chronicle Live says: Transfers increasingly play out in public, and any advocacy that can build momentum towards a move could yet help a transfer. If Sporting remain adamant they want to keep Catamo, the Black Cats' job will remain difficult but the Portuguese side have built a reputation for selling at the right price. Sky's Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle includes at least 215 live Premier League clashes across the 2026/27 season with more than 1,400 live games across the EFL and beyond, plus F1, golf and darts. Every subscription now comes with 135 channels alongside free subscriptions to HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu.