Latest news with #Sassuolo
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Gossip: Sunderland withdraw from Lauriente deal
Sunderland have pulled out of a £17.5m deal to bring in 26-year-old French forward Armand Lauriente from Italian club Sassuolo. (Northern Echo, external)Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
What's next for Laurienté after collapsed Sunderland transfer?
Armand Laurienté's proposed Sunderland transfer has collapsed, but the French winger is unlikely to remain at Sassuolo as he wants a new challenge. French winger Laurienté was supposed to join Sunderland in a €20m deal this summer, but his transfer suddenly collapsed on Sunday, so the 26-year-old is on his way back to Italy. Laurienté was the top Serie B goalscorer in the 2024-25 season and the best player in Italy's second division last term, enabling Sassuolo to earn promotion to Serie A. The Neroverdi were by far the best team in the tournament, so fans didn't really need football predictions generated using AI. However, with a new top-flight campaign ahead, the Mapei Stadium-based club is preparing to shock some of Italy's top sides, as they did in their golden era. Laurienté won't join Sunderland It will be worth keeping a close eye on the Neroverdi, who have confirmed Fabio Grosso in charge for 2025-26 after an easy promotion to Serie A last season. Sassuolo, however, are aware that they won't rely on Laurienté next season, despite his recent failed Sunderland transfer. Grosso himself confirmed the winger's desire to leave just a few weeks ago. 'Laurienté would love to test himself at a higher level,' Grosso said via TMW. 'Speaking with Armand, I try to show him all the possible scenarios, but also highlight what the club have done for him.' Laurienté joined Sassuolo in a €10m deal from FC Lorient in the summer of 2022 and immediately became a star player at the Mapei Stadium. The French winger scored 31 goals and provided 18 assists in 102 appearances with Sassuolo, including 18 Serie B goals last season. The 26-year-old was linked with a move to Napoli in the January transfer window, and his agent even confirmed the Partenopei's interest a few months ago. Napoli 'always' interested in Laurienté 'Honestly, there was no call from Napoli in January, but they were always interested in the past,' Laurienté's agent, Roberto Meloni, said in February. 'The lad likes Napoli as a solution, they are a great club, but you need a perfect marriage to finalise the deal.' Napoli are still looking for an attacking winger despite signing Noa Lang, but this obviously doesn't mean the French winger will surely end up at the Stadio Maradona. One thing that is practically certain: Laurienté won't be playing for either Sassuolo or Sunderland in the 2025-26 season, but his next destination remains to be determined. Napoli have also targeted Bologna's Dan Ndoye, but Nottingham Forest have recently made an opening offer to sign the Swiss winger. Sassuolo will make their 2025-26 Serie A debut against Napoli at home on August 23.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lauriente's 20m Sunderland move collapses
Armand Lauriente travelled to England to undergo medical tests with Sunderland, but according to several sources, his move has collapsed, so the winger is returning to Sassuolo. French winger Laurienté won't move to Sunderland. Laurienté failed Sunderland transfer Several sources, including Fabrizio Romano and TMW, confirm that the 26-year-old won't join the newly promoted Premier League side this summer. Sunderland and Sassuolo had reached an agreement over a €20m deal, and the player travelled to England on Saturday to undergo medical tests. It's still unclear whether the French winger underwent medical tests with the Premier League club, but the reason behind his failed move to Sunderland doesn't seem to be tied to his fitness. Laurienté has asked to leave Sassuolo after contributing to their Serie A promotion last season with 18 league goals. Laurienté unlikely to stay at Sassuolo Laurienté was the top scorer in Serie B during the 2024-25 season, as well as the best player in Italy's second division last term. Laurienté is now returning to Italy, but it's unlikely that he'll remain at Sassuolo for the 2025-26 season.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Armand Laurienté set for Sunderland medical
According to a report from Fabrice Hawkins, Armand Laurienté (26) is set to travel to the North East of England to complete a medical ahead of a proposed move to Sunderland. The newly promoted Premier League outfit have agreed a fee in the region of €20m with Sassuolo for the Frenchman's services. Laurienté has travelled to Sunderland on his private jet ahead of undergoing his medical. The French winger has agreed a 5-year contract at the Stadium of Light. The 26-year-old was pivotal in Sassuolo's instant promotion back to Serie A last term. He scored 19 goals and registered 6 assists in Serie B last season. Régis Le Bris is no stranger to Laurienté. The Sunderland manager coached the winger during his time at Lorient. He will also be reunited with his former Lorient teammate Enzo Le Fée, who joined the Black Cats permanently following their promotion to the Premier League. GFFN | Liam Wraith
Forbes
3 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Premier League And Serie A Clubs Do Battle For Serie B Star
The European soccer transfer merry-go-round is gaining momentum, and the Italian province of Emilia Romagna is once again one of Italy's hotbeds when it comes to unearthing huge talents for bargain prices. As usual, Premier League clubs are ready to swoop in. Despite being heavily linked with a move to Sunderland, Armand Laurienté could instead make the 40-mile move from Sassuolo to Bologna. SASSUOLO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 01: Armand Lauriente' of Sassuolo competes for the ball with Yuri ... More Rocchetti of Juve Stabia during the Serie B match between US Sassuolo Calcio and SS Juve Stabia at on February 01, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Image) Meanwhile, the transfer market mind games are in full swing amidst claims by Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali that the deal is 'almost done' with the newly-promoted Premier League side. 'The player is on his way for medicals, and we've already reached an agreement with Sunderland,' Carnevali told guests at the United Charity Gala dinner on Friday. 'We're in the final stages; I think we'll make everything official tomorrow or Sunday." In turn, the pressure is building on Bologna sporting director Giovanni Sartori, who will have to be decisive if he wants to poach the Frenchman in time. REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - DECEMBER 22: Giovanni Carnevali of US Sassuolo talks with Aurelio De ... More Laurentiis of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and SSC Napoli at Mapei Stadium - Citta del Tricolore on December 22, 2019 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy (Photo by) Laurienté is seeking a new challenge after three restless seasons at Sassuolo, which began brilliantly in 2022-23 (7 goals, 6 assists in Serie A) before taking an unexpected downward spiral when the club suffered relegation in 2024. Still, the Frenchman stuck around and took Serie B by the scruff of the neck, scoring 18 league goals to win the Paolo Rossi (top scorer) award ahead of Spezia starlet Francesco Pio Esposito (17), while comfortably beating his Neroverdi teammates Nicholas Pierini (10) and Samuele Mulattieri (9). With five assists to boot, it's no wonder Bologna and others are ready to pounce, but that may depend on whether Sartori can shift wantaway winger Dan Ndoye for the right price, believed to be higher than $41 million. Napoli were frontrunners for Ndoye's signature, but then instead bought Noa Lang from PSV Eindhoven for $29 million. BOLOGNA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 27: Dan Ndoye of Bologna celebrates victory with the Player of the Match ... More award following the Serie A match between Bologna and AC Milan at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on February 27, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by) Premier League or Serie A? Having proved himself in both Serie A and Serie B, Laurienté is wanted by new Sunderland sporting director Florent Ghisolfi, who joined the Black Cats this summer after a quickfire stint at Roma last term. But at Bologna, Lauriente's pace, presence of mind, and ruthlessness in front of goal make him the perfect candidate to replace Ndoye and uphold Vincenzo Italiano's attack-minded philosophy. It was this lethal combination of attributes that caught the eye of Carnevali, who signed the 26-year-old from Ligue 1 outfit Lorient in 2022 for $11 million. At the time, Sassuolo had cashed in on a number of their best attackers when they sold Gianluca Scamacca to West Ham ($44M), Hamed Traore to Bournemouth ($29M), and Giacomo Raspadori to Napoli ($33M). REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - MARCH 01: Armand Lauriente and Domenico Berardi of US Sassuolo shake ... More hands during the Serie B match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Pisa Sporting Club at Mapei Stadium - Città del Tricolore on March 01, 2025 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/) Despite losing such names, Alessio Dionisi's side transitioned seamlessly as Laurienté combined spectacularly with Domenico Berardi to ensure survival during a rollercoaster campaign. The following summer, plenty of enquiries arrived for the French U21 international. In turn, Napoli were close to signing Laurienté in 2023, but negotiations broke down as Aurelio De Laurentiis prioritised securing replacements for defender Kim min-Jae, sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli and coach Luciano Spalletti. Laurienté had also piqued the interest of Roma and Besiktas at the time, but remained at the Mapei Stadium to partner Berardi and Andrea Pinamonti in attack. Following Berardi's knee injury which kept him out for 21 top-tier matches, coach Dionisi was sacked in March after just one win in 13, and relegation was confirmed on match day 37, ending the club's 11-year spell in Serie A. REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - APRIL 14: Armand Lauriente of US Sassuolo competes for the ball with ... More Simon Kjaer of AC Milan during the Serie A TIM match between US Sassuolo and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on April 14, 2024 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/) Maurauding in from either wing, Laurienté's best position is on the left. Following 45 career goals and 28 assists in 197 league matches, this is the perfect time for Sassuolo to cash in. Carnevali can ask a higher price if he sells this summer instead of next, as there are only two years remaining on Laurienté's current deal, which expires in 2027. Bologna's interest in Laurienté is expected to waver if negotiations fall through in Naples for Ndoye, given that the reigning Serie A champions have announced the arrival of Noa Lang from PSV Eindhoven. Effectively, the Dutchman operates anywhere across the frontline - a carbon copy of Laurienté - whereas Ndoye is strictly a wide man. Nottingham Forest have entered negotiations to take the Swiss international to England, but Sartori is unwilling to lower his asking price, an issue that also deterred Napoli. The other option for Sartori is to buy Laurienté and shift Ndoye in January or during next year's World Cup. Fenerbahçe, managed by José Mourinho, have also made enquiries for Laurienté amidst their off-field dramas involving Jhon Duran (who replaced Bologna-bound Ciro Immobile). ISTANBUL, TURKEY - JUNE 2: Fenerbahce unveil Jose Mourinho as their new coach in front of fans at ... More Ulker Stadium on June 2, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Huseyin Yavuz/ dia images via Getty Imagez) However, The Special One is reportedly seeking a move away from Istanbul after realising the gap between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray is too big, throwing a proverbial spanner in the works. Sassuolo are seeking offers of over $23 million. But even if a club is willing to pay such a fee, the Serie B champions will find it difficult to replace such a dynamic attacking force. Laurienté dominated last season, exploiting his opponents by lurking freely in the half spaces and using his superior stride to latch onto long balls in transition. Most Likely The ideal situation for both the player and the club would be a transfer to local side Bologna, where Laurienté would immediately settle in a nearby city and, more importantly, Vincenzo Italiano's attack-focused system. If Ndoye is sold, Sartori knows Italiano will need reinforcements for their Coppa Italia title defence and foray into the Europa League, a competition in which Laurienté would make his debut if the move materialises. LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Regis Le Bris, Manager of Sunderland, lifts The Sky Bet Championship ... More Play-Off trophy after his team's victory and subsequent promotion to the Premier League following the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final match between Sheffield United and Sunderland at Wembley Stadium on May 24, 2025 in London, England. This weekend's EFL play-off matches at Wembley will all kick-off one minute late, to raise awareness for the 'Every Minute Matters' campaign, which aims to encourage people to learn CPR. (Photo by) If Sunderland coach Régis Le Bris does indeed sign Laurienté over the weekend, Carnevali can move quickly to fill the vacancy in Sassuolo, with free agent Lorenzo Insigne, Como's Alieu Fadera and Inter's Tajon Buchanan all shortlisted. "Laurienté's departure will bring us around €20 million, a figure that will allow us to make useful investments to be able to face the league,' Carnevali added. 'We'll have to find some alternatives, because there's still a long way to go in the market."
