Sunderland have signed Ian Poveda on a free transfer.
On Wednesday, Sunderland announced the signing of Ian Poveda following his Leeds United release earlier this summer.
The 24-year-old, two-time Colombian international spent four years at Leeds United but managed just 30 first-team appearances during his time at Elland Road.
Poveda spent much of his time in Yorkshire out on loan, spending time with all of Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, and then Sheffield Wednesday in the second half of last season.
The Owls were keen to re-sign Poveda this summer. But Sunderland have signed the attacker on a three-year deal, with an option to extend his stay at the Stadium of Light by a further year.
Sunderland’s decision to hand Poveda such a lengthy deal, given his injury record, has surprised a few fans.
There’s also speculation on social media that Sunderland have gone above and beyond their normal wage bracket to bring in the former Barcelona youth star.
But journalist Michael Graham has rubbished those suggestions.
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Michael Graham rubbishes Ian Poveda Sunderland wage speculation
Fans online have speculated that Sunderland may have gone close to the £40k-a-week mark to sign Poveda on a free transfer this summer.
But Graham has completely dismissed that speculation, suggesting that Poveda isn’t even earning half that amount.
Per reports online, Sunderland’s current highest-earning player is Dan Ballard on £17k-a-week, though Ballard’s new Sunderland contract may have upped that figure.
Graham posted on X in response to the Poveda wage speculation:
What is Ian Poveda’s Sunderland wage
The exact figure may never be revealed. But Graham’s suggestion can be taken with a degree of accuracy.
Somewhere perhaps well below the £20k-a-week mark may be a ballpark figure, and it may be that Poveda is even one of the lowest-earning players in the side given the fact that he’s been given a three-year deal, despite his injury record.
Online sources place a lot of Sunderland players between the £7-12k-a-week mark, though such sources have to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman clearly has a lot of faith in Poveda and the potential he has with Sunderland, given the three-year deal and the option of a further year, which Poveda may not have gotten elsewhere.
If he can stay fit then Regis Le Bris will have a real talent on his hands. But keeping him fit is something that no manager in the last few years has really been able to do.