Sunderland are now making a move to sign OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka ahead of Aston Villa, TBR Football understands.
Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland side earned promotion with Anthony Patterson in net last season, but they are now on the lookout for an upgrade.
Similarly, Aston Villa relied on the trusty hands of Emiliano Martinez last term, but the Argentina international could now depart Villa Park.
Villa are willing to sell Martinez to raise funds; hence, they are also interested in a deal for Bulka this summer.
Villa wants Bulka, a goalkeeper who previously played for Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, but the Poland international might actually end up at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland making move to sign Marcin Bulka ahead of Aston Villa
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Sunderland has been in contact to sign Bulka from Nice, a goalkeeper who is subject to a lot of interest right now.
Bulka played 40 times for Nice last season and now has five caps for Poland, a nation that has always had a steady stream of talented goalkeepers.
And Sunderland would like to sign the £17m-rated 25-year-old to replace Patterson as their number one, who did have some doubters last season.
Providing further insight into the situation, Bailey said: “Bulka is a top goalkeeper. I am told by a number of different scouts that he is one of the best in France
“If Sunderland can get him, it would be a huge coup for them.
“As we reported, Aston Villa likes him a lot and looks at him as a potential replacement for Martinez—should he leave.”
Sunderland are ready to move on from Anthony Patterson
In line with the club’s interest in Bulka, TBR Football can also confirm that Sunderland are ready to move on from Patterson this summer.
25-year-old Patterson has now made 168 appearances for the club after rising through the academy via a loan spell at Notts County.
Of course, all of Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Everton have previously considered a move for Patterson as their new number two.
As things stand, both Man City and Everton could yet revive their interest in Patterson this summer.
And if Sunderland are able to replace the Englishman with Bulka, then it will be considered a big upgrade at the Stadium of Light, a player who could seriously help efforts to stay in the Premier League.
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