If a current report from is believed to be true, newly promoted Premier League outfit Sunderland are weighing up a summer season swoop for Duje Caleta-Automobile. However they aren’t alone within the race with golf equipment from Turkey additionally retaining shut eyes on the outcast Olympique Lyonnais centre-back.
The 28-year-old Croatia worldwide progressed via Šibenik’s academy ranks earlier than breaking into their senior squad within the second tier of Croatian soccer. He then joined Austrian heavyweights Pink Bull Salzburg for a modest €50,000 in July 2013 and was despatched on back-to-back loans to Pasching and Liefering within the decrease divisions of Austria, offering him with common sport time.
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Caleta-Automobile ultimately earned a daily position in Salzburg colors, and his rise noticed him safe a €19m switch to French giants Marseille in the summertime of 2018. He was even near becoming a member of Liverpool a couple of years later; nevertheless, a transfer didn’t materialise as a result of Phocaeans’ failure to discover a substitute in time. Though he plied his commerce in England with a couple of months later, the centre-half couldn’t show his value within the coronary heart of the backline, with the Saints ending rock-bottom within the league standings.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – OCTOBER 03: Duje Caleta-Automobile of Olympique Lyonnais battles for possession with Cyriel Dessers of Rangers FC in the course of the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Section MD2 match between Rangers FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Ibrox Stadium on October 03, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photograph by Ian MacNicol/Getty Photographs)
After a profitable season-long mortgage, Lyon activated a €3.59m buy choice final summer season. However the arrival of Paulo Fonseca as Les Gones’ chief noticed him lose his beginning standing within the second half of the 2024-25 marketing campaign. The Portuguese doesn’t view Caleta-Automobile in his first-team plans, and the defender, too, would like a recent problem somewhat than combating for his place with the Ligue 1 giants.
Why Sunderland Ought to Rope In The Croatian
A dramatic play-off remaining victory in opposition to Sheffield United introduced again to the highest flight of the English sport after eight lengthy years. Loads has modified on the Stadium of Mild, as their ‘French venture’ beneath the possession of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has largely been successful up to now. Louis-Dreyfus, together with the gaffer Régis Le Bris, used his contacts and connections to land the French pair Enzo Le Fée and Wilson Isidor. They had been pivotal to their promotion, however a sterner check awaits subsequent season as the primary goal could be to flee relegation.
Regardless of having Luke O’Nien and Daniel Ballard, who made vital strides in deep defence, their lack of Premier League expertise calls for reinforcements. Chris Mepham has returned to Bournemouth following a profitable mortgage. However the Black Cats may fail to tie him down completely amid robust of his potential Sheffield United swap. A transfer to Wearside may see Caleta-Automobile seize a key first-team standing, and it stays to be seen whether or not his tenure in France persuades the ex-Lorient boss.