AFC Sunderland and Nottingham Forest have emerged as contenders to sign Bayer Leverkusen winger Ernest Poku, according to reports. The Bundesliga outfit are prepared to sanction the Dutch Under-21 international’s departure this summer, with sources indicating an offer of approximately €25 million would secure the deal for the former AZ Alkmaar player.
Premier League interest builds
Both English clubs are actively seeking reinforcements ahead of the new campaign. Sunderland have enjoyed a dramatic resurgence, securing promotion back to the Premier League while simultaneously qualifying for the Europa League. This continental draw could prove significant in any negotiations, as they will compete in the same European competition as Leverkusen next season. The prospect of offering Poku continuity at that level may strengthen their hand against rival suitors.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, possess substantial transfer funds following the recent departure of Elliott Anderson to Manchester City in a deal worth over €100 million. This financial muscle places them in a strong position to meet Leverkusen’s valuation, although they face stiff competition from Sunderland for the signature.
BayArena departure expected
Poku completed a €10 million transfer from AZ Alkmaar to Leverkusen only last summer. During his debut campaign in Germany, the wide player scored five goals across 29 Bundesliga appearances. However, his future has been cast into doubt after Leverkusen failed to qualify for the Champions League, creating significant pressure on the board to balance the books through player sales.
The club followed a similar strategy last year when they sold fellow winger Amine Adli to Bournemouth. With Poku now attracting concrete interest from England, Leverkusen are open to cashing in on their investment just twelve months after his arrival. The €25 million figure would represent a substantial profit on the €10 million fee paid to AZ Alkmaar, providing vital funds as they navigate the financial implications of missing out on Champions League revenue.
What happens next
While no formal bid has been confirmed from either Sunderland or Forest, the reported asking price reflects Leverkusen’s desire to turn a quick profit on the Dutch youth international. The coming weeks will determine whether either Premier League side is prepared to meet these demands and bring the former AZ Alkmaar prospect to English football.