Ex-SAFC player linked to Barcelona while Asoro bags a Europa brace

Two former Sunderland stars are grabbing the headlines across the continent.

Here, we round up all the latest stories that have emerged from the Stadium of Light and beyond:

Former Sunderland striker Joel Asoro bagged a brace in DjurgardensIF’sUEFAEuropa Conference League qualifying match on Thursday night.

After Victor Edvardsen’s opener, Asoro scored either side of half-time to give his side a 3-0 lead away at Romanian side Sepsi OSK before the hostspulledonebacktenminutes from time.

After loan spells in Italy and the Netherlands, the former Sunderland man joined Djurgardens IF in February last year and has scored 10 times for the Swedish side.

On Twitter, Asoro posted a photo of himself celebrating a strike against Sepsi OSK with the caption: ‘Happy to score X2 in the Europa conference league’.

If Djurgardens IF are successful in qualifying for the Europa Conference League group stages, they could come up against sides like Fiorentina, West Ham and Villareal.

Former Sunderland defender Marcos Alonso is reportedly a priority target for Barcelona this summer.

According to Fabrizio Romano,

Alonso wants to leave Stamford Bridge because of ‘personal reasons’ and a return to his home country looks on the cards with Barcelona making him a ‘priority’ target:

Romano tweeted: ‘Barcelona want Marcos Alonso as soon as possible. Talks ongoing on clubs side to find way with Chelsea, Alonso’s priority target since May and already agreed personal terms with Barça months ago #FCB

Alonso hopes to Chelsea to leave this summer due to personal reasons. #CFC’

Alonso spent just half a season on loan from Fiorentina at the Stadium of Light in 2014 but has racked up over 200 appearances for Chelsea during his six years at the club - winning a Champions League, Europa League and Premier League title in that time.

Aston Villa’s Cameron Archer has signed a new fiveyear contract with the Villains and is set to have a role in Steven Gerrard’s first team this season.

The England Under-21 international spent time on loan with Preston North End last season and had been linked with a return to the Championship - with Sunderland one of the sides reportedly interested in his services.