Ernest Poku: Sunderland linked with move for Bayer Leverkusen winger

Sunderland are being linked with a move for Dutch-Ghanaian winger Ernest Poku, who is currently at Bayer Leverkusen. The Premier League club are understood to be exploring the possibility of bringing in the 22-year-old right-sided attacker, with his contract at the Bundesliga side running until 30 June 2030.

Poku, who represents the Netherlands and Ghana at international level, joined Leverkusen from AZ Alkmaar on 12 August 2025 for a reported €10m fee and has since established himself in Germany’s top flight. He has made 29 Bundesliga appearances for Leverkusen, scoring five goals and providing five assists, and has also featured in both the Champions League and Europa League.

Leverkusen are thought to value the Hamburg-born forward at around €25m, reflecting his development since arriving from the Eredivisie. Any approach from Sunderland would therefore require a significant financial outlay, with the long-term deal in Germany putting the Bundesliga club in a strong negotiating position.

Before moving to Leverkusen, Poku came through the ranks at AZ Alkmaar, progressing from youth level to the first team and winning the UEFA Youth League with the club’s under-19 side in 2022-23. His form in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie and Eredivisie, where he accumulated over 100 senior league appearances across both tiers, helped earn his switch to Germany.

Poku currently wears the No 19 shirt at Leverkusen and remains under contract for another four years, leaving Sunderland with a sizeable task if they are to convince the German club to part with one of their attacking options.