Sunderland eye Player of the Year likened to Lionel Messi as director reacts to Black Cats interest
Premier League Return Opens Doors for Sunderland — But Luring Top Talent Like Kiteishvili Won’t Be Easy
Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has not only boosted hopes of keeping Wembley hero Régis Le Bris and his squad intact—it has also opened the door to a higher caliber of transfer targets that would have been well beyond reach in the Championship.
One such name now linked to the Black Cats is Vladyslav Vanat, the prolific Dynamo Kyiv striker whose 21 goals helped secure the Ukrainian Premier League title. With promotion comes financial muscle, and Sunderland now find themselves in conversations that reflect their elevated status.
Enzo Le Fée’s loan move from AS Roma is set to become permanent following Tommy Watson’s dramatic Wembley winner, but the club’s record signing may soon be surpassed. Sunderland are eyeing ambitious moves—Monaco’s Wilfried Singo, for instance, is on their radar despite a reported £20 million valuation.
Thanks to Premier League revenue, Le Bris could have a significant war chest this summer, with newly promoted clubs routinely surpassing the £100 million spending mark in recent years.
Otar Kiteishvili Interest Met with Caution from Sturm Graz
Among Sunderland’s more ambitious targets is Otar Kiteishvili, the reigning Austrian Bundesliga Player of the Year. Reports from Krone Zeitung suggest that Sunderland, alongside Burnley and Leeds United, are monitoring the Georgian playmaker, who played a key role in Sturm Graz’s successful title defense with 13 goals and five assists.
Kiteishvili’s standout performances have attracted widespread attention, and with Sunderland possibly preparing for the departure of Jobe Bellingham—who recently visited Eintracht Frankfurt and remains a target for Borussia Dortmund—the Georgian star could be seen as a potential replacement.
However, Sturm Graz managing director Michael Parensen was quick to temper speculation. “We’re still a long way from that,” he told Krone Zeitung. “It’s true he’s attracted interest over the years, and at 29, it’s not unreasonable for him to explore new challenges. But for now, we’re planning with Otar.”
A Tough Deal to Pull Off
Despite interest, prising Kiteishvili away from Graz won’t be easy. He signed a new contract in January, keeping him at the club for two more years. Standing at 5ft 8in with exceptional dribbling, vision, and finishing ability, the attacking midfielder has earned comparisons to the “Georgian Messi”—though Khvicha Kvaratskhelia remains the national team’s standout star.
Sturm Graz’s sporting director Andreas Schicker emphasized the player’s importance: “Otar is a true leader and a key figure in our team. We gave him time to consider his options, and we’re thrilled he extended his stay.”
If Sunderland are serious about adding Kiteishvili to their Premier League squad, they’ll face a tough negotiation—not only with Sturm Graz but also in persuading the player to give up another Champions League campaign in Austria for a new challenge in the English top flight
