Sunderland Pursues Bold Move for Roma's Matias Soule

Sunderland are pushing ahead with one of the boldest moves of the summer window, opening talks to bring Roma forward Matias Soule to Wearside in a deal that would underline their growing ambition on and off the pitch.

Sporting director Florent Ghisolfi has moved early. Initial contact has been made, and those close to the negotiations indicate Soule’s camp are open to the idea. The Argentina international is understood to be keen on testing himself in the Premier League, a stance that has encouraged Sunderland to keep driving the conversation.

Roma, for their part, are ready to talk. The Italian club are prepared to approve Soule’s exit in this window and are seeking a fee in the region of £30 million, roughly €35m or $40m. That figure would place the 23-year-old among the most expensive signings in Sunderland’s history, but the numbers are not expected to derail the pursuit.

Ghisolfi’s gamble – and advantage

This is not a blind punt on potential. Ghisolfi knows exactly what he is chasing.

During his spell as sporting director at Roma, it was Ghisolfi who brought Soule in from Juventus in 2024. He has already bet on the forward once, and that familiarity is shaping Sunderland’s strategy now. The Frenchman believes Soule can be both a statement signing and a cornerstone of the club’s next phase as they step into European competition.

That existing relationship with both player and club gives Sunderland a rare edge in a crowded market. Ghisolfi is hopeful those ties can smooth negotiations and accelerate what would be one of the most eye-catching arrivals of the Premier League summer.

Inside the club, Soule is viewed as exactly the type of attacking profile they want: versatile, inventive, and capable of operating anywhere across the front line. The expectation is that he would not just pad out the squad, but immediately raise the ceiling of Regis Le Bris’s team ahead of a season that will stretch resources across domestic and European fronts.

Firepower funded by exits – but with limits

Sunderland’s move for Soule has not come out of thin air. It has been built on the back of significant outgoing business.

The club are in the final stages of completing the sale of Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra, while Eliezer Mayenda’s switch to Rennes has already brought in a substantial fee. Those deals have created the financial room for Sunderland to chase another marquee arrival without reckless spending.

Inside the boardroom, there is confidence that a package for Soule can be constructed without breaching the guardrails. Sunderland remain acutely aware of both UEFA and Premier League financial regulations and are said to be structuring their summer activity with those restrictions in mind. This is aggressive recruitment, but not a gamble on the club’s future.

The message is clear: last season’s success is a platform, not a peak. Sunderland do not intend to stand still.

Holding the core, raising the bar

That ambition is also reflected in their stance on key players. The club have already made it known they are determined to keep captain Granit Xhaka and midfielder Noah Sadiki despite growing interest from elsewhere. The spine stays. The quality around it must improve.

In that context, Soule is seen as an ideal fit for Sunderland’s long-term plan. At 23, he offers resale value and development upside, but he is also considered ready to impact the Premier League immediately. His adaptability across the front line would give Le Bris fresh tactical options and much-needed depth for a campaign that will demand rotation and resilience.

The pressure of European nights, the grind of the league, the expectation of progress – Sunderland are building a squad to withstand all of it.

Now the focus rests on whether Ghisolfi can turn familiarity and intent into a done deal. If Sunderland manage to prise Soule away from Roma, it will not just be a reunion for a sporting director and his former signing. It will be a clear signal that the Black Cats intend to make their return to Europe something more than a fleeting cameo.