Sunderland have set their sights on Bayer Levekusen’s star midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu according to the Metro,

The Black Cat’s have been strengthening their squad over the summer transfer window and have already signed Jermain Lens and Younes Kaboul.

The report states that Sunderland are looking into the possibility of signing Çalhanoğlu.

Çalhanoğlu has been hitting the headlines recently for his set-piece goals. The 21-year-old scored the highest number of free-kick goals – in the top five leagues in Europe – Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1 – last season.

Sunderland are however expected to face competition from Europe’s elite. Arsenal are keeping tabs on Çalhanoğlu according to talkSPORT and he recently revealed that Barcelona and Real Madrid have both expressed an interest in him.

“It is great that Barcelona and Real Madrid are interest of course it makes me proud to be linked with these clubs but that is for my agent to look into let us see what happens,” Çalhanoğlu told DHA.

Çalhanoğlu provided 11 assists and scored 13 goals in 47 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen last season.

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