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Sunderland launch approach to sign World Cup star after big scouting mission

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Published Jun 23, 2026, 12:10 PM GMT+1

Tom is a football journalist with five years of experience. He has been featured in the Non-League Paper, Crawley Observer, Sussex Express and The RedmenTV - producing features, news and conducting interviews.

For Football FanCast, Tom has sat down with a number of names from the industry, including Ally McCoist, Philippe Senderos and Chris Waddle. Elsewhere, he has covered the National League South final, the Formula E London Prix, Crawley Town and Brighton’s U21s.

Tom enjoys writing features about teams in the Football League and Premier League, whilst also receiving the opportunity to conduct interviews on behalf of FFC.

Having written for The RedmenTV, he is particularly an expert on all things Liverpool.

With the Europa League awaiting them next season, Sunderland have the chance to flex their new-found status and act with more ambition than ever in this summer's transfer window.

They already stole the headlines one year ago, when they welcomed the likes of Granit Xhaka. It was the kind of spending that newly-promoted sides rarely enjoy, but the Black Cats were never back in the top flight to simply take part.

Better than Diarra: Sunderland pursuing deal to sign £25m midfielder

Sunderland are reportedly eyeing up a move for a star who would be a better option than Habib Diarra in midfield.

The cure for any potential second-season syndrome may well be the spend big again. It would be a dramatic fall off if those on Wearside were hit with the deadly disease, though they're still unlikely to take any chances.

With the summer well and truly underway, several targets are already emerging. The Black Cats have reportedly set their sights on the likes of Arne Engels, who looks destined to leave Celtic in the coming months.

The £25m midfielder would be an excellent addition alongside Xhaka and it very much looks like the focus will be set on handing Regis Le Bris reinforcements in the middle of the park this summer.

Sunderland launch approach to sign World Cup star

Alongside Engels, the Black Cats have also got their eye on a World Cup star. According to 225 Foot, as relayed by Sport Witness, Sunderland have now made contact to sign Christ Inao Oulai, who is currently playing a key role at the heart of Ivory Coast's midfield.

Those at the Stadium of Light have already completed a big scouting mission on the 20-year-old and approached his agent, but they are not alone in the race. Fulham and Brentford have also done the same, which could spark a bidding war for the Trabzonspor star.

25/26

Inao Oulai

Xhaka

Minutes	2,077	2,903
Goals	2	1
Tackles	49	50
Recoveries	124	179
Duel success	55.5%	60.3%

Dubbed "unbelievable" by scout Jacek Kulig, it's easy to see why Sunderland are targeting Inao Oulai. The young star has all the potential to eventually exceed Xhaka on Wearside and almost matched his impressive numbers despite playing fewer minutes last season.

The 20-year-old is now impressive at the World Cup and could be on his way to the Premier League sooner rather than later.