How could Sunderland sign a better player than Matias Soule

Sunderland are looking to build on their success in the 2025/26 campaign by adding more quality to their squad in the summer transfer window.

As they move closer to signing experienced free agent Thomas Meunier, the Black Cats are eyeing a deal to sign Argentine striker Matias Soule from Roma.

Regis Le Bris' side are already holding talks over a move for the 23-year-old, who is worth £30m to the Italian side this summer.

However, it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to pay the £30m fee that would be required to secure his services before the end of the window.

Where Matias Soule can fit into Sunderland

Sunderland used a 4-2-3-1 formation in 21 of their 38 Premier League games last season, and Soule could slot in on the right of attack.

With Enzo Le Fee in the tenth role and Chemsdine Talbi on the left, the Argentinian striker can play in his preferred position on the right side, where he can cut in on the left foot.

The Roma striker can play as part of a front two or as an attacking midfielder, as his career statistics show, but prefers to play on the right side.

He has been effective on the right side for Roma over the past two seasons in Serie A, scoring 11 goals and providing 10 assists, and would be a great addition to Le Bris' squad.

That means the French coach could play with the four players of Soule, Le Fee, Talbi, and Brian Brobbey in the Premier League or Europa League next season, if the club can agree with Roma about the Argentine ace.

The 23-year-old striker is not the only right player on the club's radar, however, and there is no guarantee that they will sign just one player in that area of ​​the park, given that they have more competition to play next term.

Sunderland are talking about signing a bigger talent than Soule

Soule also may not be a guaranteed starter when he arrives at the Stadium of Light, as the club look for a star player who could be the best option on the wing.

The Spanish newspaper Sports says that Sunderland is one of the teams interested in signing Roony Bardghji from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.

The report says that the Black Cats have already made a way to open negotiations with the Spanish giants regarding an agreement to bring the Swedish boy to England in the coming weeks.

It adds that Barcelona would like to sell him with a buy-back option, but are open to a loan deal, and that Leeds, Brighton, and Aston Villa are also in the race to secure his signature.

Bardghji, who was described as “similar to Lamine (Yamal)” by Deco, struggled for game time with the Spanish club in the 2025/26 campaign, starting eight times in LaLiga and the Champions League.

On paper, Soule looks the better option as he has scored six goals and provided five assists in Serie A, while the Swede has scored one goal and assisted two in LaLiga for Barcelona.

Their numbers out of 90, however, suggest that Bardghji has the potential to explode and give more to the team than Soule if given regular game time by Le Bris.

His statistics in LaLiga indicate that he gets into more dangerous scoring positions, creates high chances for his teammates, and takes on opposing defenders more regularly than the Roma star.

The 20-year-old talent is still a dynamic young player, rather than a more proven talent like Soule, but his underwhelming numbers show he can provide more quality in the final third if given the minutes he needs to shine.

Bardghji looks like he could be a class above Soule, given his ability to score goals and provide multiple assists, but it would be a risky deal for the club, given his lack of experience at the top level so far.

He is three years younger than the Argentinian striker and will arrive at the Stadium of Light with great potential for growth and development in the future, potentially making him a better signing now and in the future.

This is why the Black Cats should prioritize a deal for a right midfielder ahead of Soule if they decide to sign just one player in that position.