SUNDERLAND CLOSE TO LANDING NOTTINGHAM FOREST’S WORLD CUP SUPERSTAR IN MIND-BLOWING £40M DOUBLE TRANSFER—SKY SPORTS CONFIRM DEAL IS RED HOT
SUNDERLAND CLOSE TO LANDING NOTTINGHAM FOREST’S WORLD CUP SUPERSTAR IN MIND-BLOWING £40M DOUBLE TRANSFER—SKY SPORTS CONFIRM DEAL IS RED HOT
Black Cats Eye Statement Double Swoop Ahead of New Campaign
SUNDERLAND are in advanced talks with Nottingham Forest over an ambitious £40 million double transfer deal that could see Ivory Coast World Cup star Ibrahim Sangaré and Nigerian international forward Taiwo Awoniyi head to the Stadium of Light, Sky Sports News understands.
Negotiations between the two clubs have progressed rapidly over the past 48 hours, with head coach Régis Le Bris eager to bolster his squad with proven top-flight talent before the transfer window closes.
The Details Behind the £40m Deal
The proposed double package—valued at approximately £40m inclusive of add-ons—would represent one of the most substantial financial investments in Sunderland’s recent history.
Ibrahim Sangaré: The 26-year-old defensive midfielder, who featured prominently for Ivory Coast at the FIFA World Cup and helped his nation win the Africa Cup of Nations, is viewed as the cornerstone of the deal. Sunderland are understood to be paying a base fee of £22 million for the midfielder, bringing elite physical presence and tackle intervention to central midfield.
Taiwo Awoniyi: The explosive Nigerian forward is valued at roughly £18 million within the package deal. With raw physical power, press resistance, and direct running, Awoniyi gives Sunderland a proven focal point up front to complement their dynamic wingers.
”Sunderland’s hierarchy have made it clear they want high-grade Premier League experience. Sangaré brings elite physical presence in midfield, while Awoniyi offers genuine goalscoring threat.”
— Sky Sports Senior Transfer Reporter
Why Nottingham Forest Are Willing to Sell
Despite both players playing key roles during Forest’s recent Premier League campaigns, the East Midlands side are actively seeking to rebalance their squad compliance under the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Having made several high-profile additions already this summer, Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo needs to trim his squad size and recoup capital.
Squad Reshuffle: Forest have bolstered their midfield options, leaving Sangaré open to a new challenge where guaranteed starts are available.
Wage Structure: Sanctioning both departures clears significant space off Forest’s weekly wage bill.
Reinvestment Strategy: The incoming £40m package will allow Forest to target key defensive reinforcements before deadline day.
What It Means for Sunderland
For Sunderland, pulling off a deal of this magnitude marks a massive statement of intent under ownership group Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and manager Régis Le Bris.
Le Bris has been vocal in recent weeks about the necessity of adding physical stature, duel-winning capability, and tactical maturity to his core line-up. Sangaré, who moved to Forest from PSV Eindhoven for over £30 million, possesses exactly the defensive discipline and ball-winning metrics that Sunderland lacked in key moments last term.
Meanwhile, Awoniyi’s Premier League goal record—when fully fit—demonstrates his ability to convert half-chances in tight fixtures while providing big-game experience from European competitions and international tournaments.
Next Steps: Medicals and Personal Terms
Personal terms are not expected to pose an obstacle for either player, with preliminary contract frameworks already discussed with the players’ representatives.
Sangaré is reported to be keen on securing a key starting role where he can maintain his regular place in the Ivory Coast national team.
Awoniyi is attracted by the long-term project pitched by Le Bris and the opportunity to lead the line on Wearside.
If agreements are finalized over the weekend as anticipated, both players could undergo medical examinations at Sunderland’s Academy of Light within the next 48 to 72 hours ahead of an official unveiling.
