Sunderland should be pursuing a move for Khephren Thuram-Ulien, despite links with the midfielder being shut down. Calciomercato in Italy reported that Sunderland had enquired about Thuram-Ulien, but Sky Sports' Keith Downie has since said that the Juventus midfielder is not on the club's radar this summer. Sunderland's qualification for the Europa League means they are expected to have another busy summer to strengthen their squad. Granit Xhaka was the heartbeat of the team in midfield this season, but the club cannot continue to rely on the 33-year-old. The club captain was linked with a move to Juventus in January, and has had admirers from Besiktas in Turkey this summer. Khephren Thuram-Ulien could be a long-term replacement for Xhaka, and his stats compare favorably to the Sunderland captain. In the 2025-26 campaign, Thuram-Ulien made more successful tackles, won possession more times in the final third, and blocked more shots than Xhaka per 90 minutes. Regis Le Bris needs to be preparing for Xhaka's departure, even if it does not happen this summer. Sources told Football Insider that Sunderland would smash their club revenue following their impressive first season back in the Premier League, and will have a significant budget to add to their squad this summer. Sunderland have no plans to allow Xhaka or any other key players to leave the Stadium of Light this summer. Celtic midfielder Arne Engels has been linked with a move to the Black Cats alongside Liverpool forward Harvey Elliott. A pre-season tour of America has been planned to prepare Sunderland for the new season, with matches against Liverpool, Leeds, and Wrexham penciled in. The club's squad depth will be key to competing in both the Premier League and in Europe, as Le Bris could be faced with more challenges than his maiden campaign managing in the top flight. Sunderland's summer transfer business will be crucial in determining their success next season, and signing Khephren Thuram-Ulien could be a key move. The midfielder's ability to win possession and block shots would be a valuable asset to the team, and his stats suggest he could be a good fit for the club. With Xhaka's future uncertain, Sunderland need to be prepared for all eventualities, and signing Thuram-Ulien could be a smart move to strengthen their midfield.