Sunderland Secures Atletico Defender Mandava, Competes With Leeds for Real Madrid Striker

Nottingham Forest are actively strengthening their squad for the upcoming season, having secured a UEFA Conference League spot and looking to bolster their defense following recent departures. After losing out on Reinildo Mandava, who signed a two-year deal with Sunderland, Forest are reportedly interested in Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas, with a potential £15 million transfer on the table. Meanwhile, Leeds United, newly promoted to the Premier League, are enhancing their attacking options, bringing in Lukas Nmecha and targeting Real Madrid's young striker Gonzalo Garcia for a permanent transfer, despite competition from Sunderland and others. Sunderland have been aggressive in the transfer market, securing Mandava on a free transfer and signing Habib Diarra from Strasbourg for a club-record fee, while also showing strong interest in Garcia through a loan with a purchase option. Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin has announced his departure after nine years, attracting interest from West Ham, Leeds, and other clubs, further intensifying the striker market ahead of the new season. Overall, the transfer window is heating up with multiple Premier League clubs vying for key defensive and attacking reinforcements to prepare for the congested fixture schedule ahead.