Sunderland agree £17.5 million deal for “dynamic” 22-year-old winger who was also wanted by Liverpool

The Stadium of Light. (Getty)

Sunderland’s Premier League comeback has gone far better than many expected.

After splashing out heavily in the summer, the Black Cats have quickly found their feet back among the elite and currently sit 11th after 23 matches. With a game in hand still to play, a push into the top eight is very much on the table if they can take care of business against Burnley.

Smart recruitment has been key. New faces like Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki and Nordi Mukiele have slotted in seamlessly, giving Regis Le Bris a side that looks settled, competitive and increasingly ambitious.

Rather than standing still, Sunderland are now using deadline day to strengthen again — with an eye firmly on pushing even higher.

Sunderland have reached an agreement with Anderlecht to sign winger Nilson Angulo, according to Sky Sports News reporter Keith Downie.

The deal will see the Black Cats pay £15m upfront, with a further £2.5m in performance-related add-ons for the 22-year-old attacker. Angulo is currently undergoing a medical overseas, with the move expected to be finalised imminently.

An Ecuador international, Angulo has impressed in Belgium this season, registering six goals and seven assists in the Pro League. Once described as “dynamic” by scout Antonio Mango, he is viewed as a direct, explosive wide option who can make an immediate impact.

The winger arrives as a replacement for Simon Adingra, who is closing in on a loan switch to AS Monaco, and Sunderland believe Angulo’s profile is well suited to the Premier League. Notably, Liverpool had previously tracked the Ecuadorian, underlining the scale of the coup.

This feels like another statement signing from Sunderland. Angulo is young, productive and already proven in European football, and if the club’s recent recruitment record is anything to go by, fans at the Stadium of Light will be quietly confident this one pays off — even if the final verdict will only come with time.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.

You must be logged in to post a comment.