Aston Villa, Sunderland & Newcastle dispatch officials to sign £17m star

Sunderland, Newcastle United and Aston Villa have all come bursting into the race to sign an in-demand South American, who will cost just £17m this summer.

It’s no real surprise that the Premier League clubs are involved in such a race. English football has fallen in love with South American stars in recent years, with the likes of Estevao, Moises Caicedo, Murillo and more all arriving before stealing several headlines for all the right reasons.

Sunderland’s inclusion is the most impressive. The Black Cats are ready to flex their European qualification in an attempt to get one over on arch rivals Newcastle, who are already enduring a nightmare summer.

The Magpies have already waved farewell to Anthony Gordon to Barcelona in a deal worth a hefty £69m, and could have no choice but to do similar with the unhappy Lewis Hall. Even with the likes of Victor Munoz likely arriving, Edde Howe’s side will be depleted.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, could be facing a similar big-name sale for different reasons. Despite qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Europa League, they’ve still got SCR problems which could result in the departure of Morgan Rogers.

It would, of course, be a major blow, but that sale would also allow Unai Emery to make some additions of his own – perhaps starting in central midfield.

Aston Villa, Sunderland and Newcastle race for £17m star

As reported by SportsBoom, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Newcastle are all racing to sign Marlon Gomes from Shakhtar Donetsk, who value their midfielder at just €20m (£17m).

All three clubs have dispatched their officials to complete in-person checks on the Brazilian and the ball could very much be in his court, as he decides his immediate future.

Whilst £17m is a hefty fee for some around Europe, it is a routine fee for Premier League sides to match and Gomes’ quality suggests that it could quickly become a bargain.

With scouts sent and Gomes’ price tag named, the race between three Premier League sides aiming to qualify for European football next season is well underway.

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