Sunderland have made Karl Etta Eyong their leading target for strengthening the attack, with head coach Regis Le Bris particularly keen on the 22-year-old Cameroon forward.
The English club have been impressed by Etta Eyong’s qualities and believe he could provide added energy and threat in the final third. Le Bris is understood to appreciate the player’s profile and would like to bring him to the Stadium of Light.
Early indications from the player’s side are positive. Sunderland believe an agreement with Etta Eyong may be possible, suggesting the personal terms discussions could lead to a favourable outcome.
The more difficult part of the deal is likely to involve Levante UD. The Spanish club are not necessarily willing to part with their forward easily, and Sunderland must now find a way to reach an agreement over the transfer fee.
According to information reported by The Sun, Etta Eyong has a £26m release clause in his Levante contract. That figure is worth about €30m and represents a significant investment for Sunderland.
The Black Cats are keen to avoid paying the clause in full. Instead, the club’s hierarchy hope to open negotiations with Levante and agree a lower fee for the Cameroon international.
Sunderland’s intention is to reach a compromise that would allow them to sign Etta Eyong without activating the full release clause. The outcome of those discussions could determine whether the forward becomes one of the club’s major attacking additions.
Le Bris is pushing for the move after being convinced by the striker’s ability, while Sunderland work to persuade Levante to accept a deal on terms that suit the English club. If an agreement can be reached between the two sides, the transfer could progress quickly.
The interest in Etta Eyong comes as Sunderland prepare for their third match of the English league season, against Brentford. The forward’s potential arrival would give Le Bris another option as he looks to add greater impact to his attack.
Sunderland’s interest has therefore reached an important stage. The player appears open to the possibility of a move, but Levante’s valuation remains the central issue. With the release clause set at £26m, Sunderland must decide how far they are prepared to go before negotiations begin in earnest.
The original report also listed betting prices for the upcoming Sunderland-Brentford fixture through 1xbet. Sunderland were priced at 6.00 to win, a draw at 4.10 and Brentford at 1.57. Those odds reflect the betting company’s assessment of the match and are separate from the negotiations surrounding Etta Eyong.
For now, Sunderland’s focus is on trying to make progress with Levante. Should the clubs settle on a fee below the release-clause figure, Etta Eyong could move to the Stadium of Light and become a significant part of Le Bris’ plans for the attack.