The Black Cats have been linked with a number of goalkeeping targets this summer as they look to bolster a department that is currently comprised of Anthony Patterson, Simon Moore and Blondy Nna Noukeu.
Sunderland agreed a fee of around £17m for Marcin Bulka earlier this summer, only for the Poland international to opt for a switch to Saudi Arabian side Neom FC instead, and have also been linked with a possible loan move for Wolves’ Sam Johnstone.
Another name was thrown into the frame yesterday, with reports suggesting that the Black Cats had spoken to officials at Shakhtar Donetsk to inquire about the potential availability of Dmytro Riznyk.
Riznyk, a 26-year-old Ukraine international, has just over two years remaining on his current deal with Shakhtar, and has made more than 150 appearances in the Ukrainian top-flight.
Le Bris did not want to discuss specific targets when he spoke in the wake of yesterday’s 3-0 friendly defeat at Hearts, but he confirmed that the acquisition of a new goalkeeper remained a key summer priority.
“I think we probably still need to sign a goalkeeper,” said the Sunderland boss. “The market is still open, although the market is unpredictable and it is always like that.
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“At the minute, we are focused on the squad we have – that is always the case – but obviously we will also be trying to reinforce the squad. We don’t know when, and we don’t know how exactly, but we are working hard behind the scenes.”
Sunderland’s ownership group have been doing everything they can to try to seal a deal for Granit Xhaka, although a series of discussions with Bayer Leverkusen officials has failed to result in an agreement over the Swiss international.
Xhaka has expressed a desire to join Sunderland, with the Black Cats willing to offer him a three-year deal, but Leverkusen boss Erik ten Hag has spelled out his desperation to hold on to the 32-year-old.
Le Bris was asked about Xhaka’s situation yesterday, but opted to keep his cards close to his chest.
“It’s rumours, and I can’t comment on rumours,” he said. “All I can say right now is that we are trying our best to improve the team. We will have to see what happens.”
Yesterday’s defeat at Tynecastle highlighted the need for further reinforcements, with the lack of depth within the current first-team group illustrated by the players that came on as Le Bris opted to make changes in the second half.
Sunderland finished with a back four comprised of Timur Tutierov, Harrison Jones, Tom Lavery and Jenson Jones, and an attacking trio of Patrick Roberts, Milan Aleksic and Ahmed Abdullahi, underlining the need for improvements.
“If you look at the Hearts game, then it looks as though we are far away from where we need to be,” admitted Le Bris. “That is clear. But at the same time, it is always a work in progress.
“Maybe you get a confidence against a certain type of team or a certain style of play, but then later, if you don’t play with the right level of intensity, you can be surprised, and I think the game against Hearts was part of that process. So, it was useful. Tough, but useful.
“Then, when it comes to where the squad is at, we will see. It is still unpredictable, so we always have to manage the players we have and be confident with them. But at the same time, we are not naïve and we know we have to reinforce this squad to be stronger.”