⚪ 𝗕𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗜 𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗭! 🇮🇹 𝗝𝘂𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗜𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮! 🐘🔥
By 247sportcity | Wednesday, January 21, 2026
TURIN – The “Sunderland Cinderella Story” of 2026 has officially reached the ears of European royalty. According to reports from TuttoJuve, Italian giants Juventus have placed Sunderland’s star winger Simon Adingra at the top of their long-term scouting list, while Spanish titans Real Madrid are also said to be monitoring the Ivorian’s meteoric rise in the Premier League.
Adingra, who joined the newly promoted Black Cats from Brighton & Hove Albion for a club-record £21 million last July, has been the spark plug behind Sunderland’s shocking charge into the Premier League’s top half. Now, as the 24-year-old’s reputation transcends the North East of England, a high-stakes tug-of-war is brewing in the corridors of the Allianz Stadium and the Bernabéu.
The Rise of the ‘Arctic Winger’
Sunderland’s return to the top flight has been nothing short of miraculous, and Simon Adingra is the heartbeat of that success. Under the tactical guidance of Régis Le Bris, Adingra has transitioned from a rotation player on the South Coast to an “untouchable” starter on Wearside.
His performance profile has captured the attention of Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli:
- Elite Directness: Adingra ranks in the top 10% of Premier League wingers for successful dribbles into the penalty area.
- Composure Under Pressure: His ability to provide “clutch” moments, much like his Man of the Match performance in the 2024 AFCON Final, has made him a standout in Le Bris’ high-octane system.
- Versatility: Though primarily a left-winger, his comfort on the right flank has allowed Sunderland to rotate summer signings like Chemsdine Talbi and Bertrand Traoré without losing attacking rhythm.
The Juventus Blueprint: A Summer Shake-Up
While a move in the final days of the January window is deemed “highly unlikely,” Juventus are reportedly laying the groundwork for a massive summer acquisition. The Bianconeri are currently in the midst of a multi-year rebuilding phase, moving away from high-wage veterans toward young, explosive talents with high resale value.
Adingra fits this “Giuntoli Model” perfectly. However, the interest from Real Madrid complicates matters significantly. Florentino Pérez is reportedly keeping tabs on Adingra as a potential high-quality rotation option for their star-studded frontline, potentially driving the Ivorian’s price tag well beyond the £40 million mark.
[Table: Simon Adingra – The Statistical Surge 2025/26]
| Metric | Stat (PL 25/26) | Note |
| Appearances | 15 | Pivotal member of the starting XI |
| Primary Position | Left Wing | Also utilized as an inverted Right Winger |
| Transfer Fee (July 2025) | £21,000,000 | Joined from Brighton |
| Current Market Value | £38,500,000+ | Estimated based on Juve/Madrid interest |
| Contract Expiry | June 2030 | Sunderland hold a strong negotiating hand |
Sunderland’s Stance: Ambition vs. Profit
For Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, the interest from Juventus represents both a triumph and a threat. The club invested heavily in the summer of 2025—spending over £100 million on talents like Habib Diarra, Enzo Le Fée, and Granit Xhaka—to ensure they didn’t just survive in the Premier League, but thrived.
The Black Cats are reportedly reluctant to sell their “Influencer-in-Chief.” Sources close to the Stadium of Light suggest it would take a “astronomical, record-breaking fee” to convince the board to part with Adingra, especially given his five-year contract.
“Sunderland are no longer a selling club by necessity,” one analyst noted. “They are building a project. If Juventus want Adingra, they will have to pay a ‘Premier League premium’ that tests the resolve of the Bianconeri’s treasury.”
The Road Ahead: AFCON and Beyond
Adingra’s standing on the international stage continues to skyrocket. His leading role for the Ivory Coast has made him a national hero, and his continued excellence in the Premier League suggests that the “Brighton era” was merely a warm-up for a truly global career.
For now, Adingra’s focus remains on the Wear. Sunderland currently sit in 9th place, a position that seemed impossible 12 months ago. If Adingra can lead the Black Cats to a top-half finish—or even a surprise European spot—the battle between Juventus and Real Madrid this summer could become the definitive transfer saga of 2026.
Final Verdict: A Star in the Making
Simon Adingra is no longer just a “promising youngster.” He is a verified Premier League difference-maker. Whether he ends up in the black-and-white stripes of Turin or the famous white of Madrid, one thing is certain: Sunderland have a generational talent on their hands, and they won’t let him go without a fight.