Sunderland are working to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season, with several transfer developments unfolding. The wait for a new signing at Sunderland goes on, but there have been updates on a number of players linked to the club past and present. ## What happened? Sunderland were credited with an interest in Marseille winger Timothy Weah on Wednesday, and Foot Mercato have offered an update on the club's interest today. They say that the Black Cats made an enquiry before the start of the World Cup, and that as of yet the matter has not progressed. Additionally, Weah is said to be happy at Marseille under new head coach Bruno Génésio and is as such not pushing for a summer exit. The complication is that the Ligue 1 club need to improve their financial situation this summer, meaning that departures cannot be ruled out. At this stage it would appear as a result that Weah is not currently a primary target for the Black Cats, though the situation could change between now and the end of the window. ## Why it matters for Sunderland As first revealed by The Echo, Sunderland have an interest in Sporting's Geny Catamo but Portuguese outlet Record reported earlier this week that there remains a significant gap in the two club's valuation. Sporting's negotiating position is strengthened by a €60 million release clause in Catamo's contract, while the club do not want to lose him this summer. ## What comes next? Lutsharel Geertruida's future remains up in the air ahead of the new campaign, after Sunderland opted not to trigger their option to purchase the defender this summer. Geertruida is set to depart RB Leipzig before the end of transfer window, but as of yet no club has been able to meet their valuation. The Bundesliga club want a fee of around €20 million, similar to the option in Sunderland's loan last year. According to Sky Sports, there is interest from clubs across Europe including in the Premier League and La Liga. The most concrete interest at this stage however is from the Eredivisie, where both Ajax and PSV Eindhoven are keen on a loan deal. One of Serie A's longest-running transfer sagas is now finally nearing a conclusion. Sunderland had made a major move to sign Bologna centre back Jhon Lucumí last summer, with the player's agent even releasing a statement urging the club to allow him to move. However, Bologna had already sold some key players and refused to sanction his departure. Sunderland sources were quick to rule out any prospect of another move ahead of the January transfer window, and do not appear to have revisited their interest this summer. With Lucumí now entering the final year of his contract, Bologna have accepted his departure and according to Fabrizio Romano are now in advanced talks with Juventus over a move. The player has already agreed to the move. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 7th in Premier League, 54 pts, 14W-12D-12L from 38 games, recent form WWDDL. Goals this season: 42 scored, 48 conceded (-6 goal difference). Title race: 31 points behind leaders Arsenal. Last result: Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea (2026-05-24). Recent form (last 5): 3W-2D-0L (WWWDD, most recent first); on a 3-game winning run. Currently sidelined: Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete.