Skip to content

Report: Sunderland in talks with Jonathan de Guzman, Ola Toivonen

Ciro De Luca / Reuters

Sunderland is in discussions to bring Jonathan de Guzman and Ola Toivonen to the Stadium of Light.

Black Cats sporting director Lee Congerton has been busy talking to the potential signees in a bid to strengthen the team, which has just one point to show for its opening three Premier League games.

Related: Dick Advocaat still hopes for new signings at Sunderland

If De Guzman was to make the move to Wearside, it would be an initial one-year loan for a fee of €1.5-million, with an option to buy for €4.5-million at the end of the 2015-16 campaign, according to Scott Wilson of The Northern Echo.

After a successful two-year loan with Swansea City, the Dutch international joined Serie A outfit Napoli on a four-year contract last year. First-team action has been limited, however, which has alerted Sunderland, as well as Bournemouth and Marseille.

Toivonen is a former charge of Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat, having played under the 67-year-old during the 2012-13 campaign at PSV Eindhoven. The Swedish striker scored 11 goals in 22 appearances for the Peasants that season, and could bring some much-needed firepower to Sunderland.

It is reported that this move would be on a permanent basis rather than a loan deal, as Toivonen's current club, Rennes, is desperate to take him off its wage bill.

This Saturday, Sunderland travels to Aston Villa, another team tipped to be in the relegation battle this season.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox