Fulham prepare €20m bid for Mariano Troilo as Sunderland face transfer pressure

Fulham are preparing to make a significant move for Parma defender Mariano Troilo, with reports from Italy suggesting a €20 million offer is about to arrive on the Serie A club’s desk.

The Argentine centre-back has emerged as one of the most sought-after young defenders in Italy following an impressive second half of the season, and Fulham now appear to be leading the Premier League chase for his signature.

Sunderland have also shown interest in the 22-year-old, but the London club are currently taking the most concrete steps towards securing a deal.

According to reports from ParmaLive, Fulham are ready to formalise their interest with an offer worth €20 million.

The proposal would represent a substantial profit for Parma, who signed Troilo for approximately €7 million in 2025. However, the Italian club are reportedly under no pressure to sell and may reject the opening offer.

Parma's position appears to be strengthened by growing interest from abroad.

Rather than rushing into negotiations, the Serie A side seem prepared to wait and see whether additional clubs enter the race during the coming weeks.

That strategy could potentially drive the player's valuation even higher.

Having followed Parma's transfer business in recent windows, the club have shown a willingness to maximise returns on emerging talent rather than accepting the first significant bid that arrives.

Sunderland have tracked Troilo for several months and previously contacted the defender's representatives regarding a potential move.

The Black Cats identified him as a player capable of strengthening their defence after an impressive breakthrough campaign in Italy.

However, Fulham's willingness to move quickly may now place Sunderland under pressure to decide whether they are prepared to submit an offer of their own.

The longer Parma can attract additional interest, the more difficult any future negotiations could become.

For Sunderland, the challenge may not simply be matching Fulham financially but also convincing the player of their long-term sporting project.

Troilo's reputation has grown rapidly since establishing himself as a regular starter during the second half of the season.

After stepping into the side following Giovanni Leoni's departure, the Argentine became an important figure under manager Carlos Cuesta.

One of the standout moments of his campaign came at San Siro, where he scored the winning goal against AC Milan in a result that significantly boosted his profile.

Those performances have led scouts from several clubs to monitor his progress closely.

At 22, he combines youth, first-team experience and significant development potential, making him an attractive option for Premier League clubs looking to strengthen their defensive options.

Parma's response to Fulham's expected offer will likely shape the next phase of negotiations.

If the Serie A club reject the bid, other interested clubs may be encouraged to enter the race. Sunderland will then face a decision over whether to increase their involvement or focus on alternative defensive targets.

With the transfer window still in its early stages and Parma showing no urgency to sell, Troilo's future could become one of the more intriguing stories to follow in the coming weeks.

Would Mariano Troilo be worth a €20 million investment for Fulham, or should Sunderland make their move before the competition grows even stronger?