Sunderland are now set to wrap up a permanent deal for their third summer signing today.
Sunderland fans have been eagerly waiting for more transfer news since Alan Browne’s arrival was confirmed earlier this month.
The Black Cats have been pushing for attacking signings after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign saw them score only four goals in their last nine matches.
Sunderland’s main focus has been on bringing in a new striker, and while reports have claimed they are closing in on Alexandre Mendy, it looks like another signing could pip him to the post.
Photos began to surface online this morning of Ian Poveda being photographed in a Sunderland shirt outside the Academy of Light.
Sunderland set to seal third signing of the summer
There hadn’t been any reports confirming his arrival, but Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has now reported that he will become a Sunderland player ‘in the coming hours’.
Downie wrote on X: “Colombia international Ian Poveda has undergone a medical at the club’s training ground and will be announced as a new signing in the coming hours.”
Poveda has struggled for minutes since joining Leeds United in 2020.
The ‘incredible’ winger was highly-rated prior to his move to Elland Road, having spent time in the academies of Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, Brentford and Man City.
Ian Poveda will be a good signing, if he can stay fit
Poveda has struggled with injuries though and has failed to find himself a ‘home’, having spent the last few seasons on loan at Blackburn, Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday.
Owls’ fans loved the 24-year-old though and the club were eager to re-sign him, while Tony Mowbray previously had nice words to say about him from his time at Ewood Park.
While his stats aren’t the most impressive, Poveda is an incredibly talented player and looks to be one that just needs time to settle somewhere and his find his feet again.
The likes of Patrick Roberts and Jack Clarke were both in the same situation ahead of their move to the Stadium of Light, and have since (mostly) really impressed.
On a free transfer, it seems a brilliant deal and one that will hopefully work out for the club and Poveda.