Kristjaan Speakman set for triple Sunderland contract and transfer boost after major developments
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Sunderland have been handed a trio of boosts in the contract and transfer department this week with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman making progress.
Here, we round up all of the latest news that you may have missed, including a new deal and two potential transfer incomings:
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Hide AdDan Ballard signs new deal
Dan Ballard has put an end to any talk of a summer transfer move by putting pen to paper on a new long-term deal.
Ballard had three years to run on his previous deal but Sunderland were keen to reward the defender for his hugely impressive progress since joining the club for Arsenal two years ago. The 24-year-old had been linked with a potential top-tier move this summer in some quarters but this news puts a firm end to any such chatter ahead of the new campaign. Ballard’s new deal runs to 2028.
Ian Poveda spotted
Sunderland appear to have signed ex-Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday winger Ian Poveda.
Poveda’s former clubs include Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, Brentford and Manchester City as a young player. Poveda then made the move to Leeds United in 2020 but struggled to nail down a starting spot during his four-year stay at Elland Road, making just 25 league appearances.
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Hide AdHowever, the attacker looks to have signed at Sunderland after pictures of Poveda emerged online this Wednesday morning at the Academy of Light which show the player posing for the traditional scarf picture.
Alex Mendy set for medical
Caen striker Alexandre Mendy has arrived at Sunderland ahead of a medical at the club, according to the latest reports.
Roker Report states that the 30-year-old French-born Guinea-Bissau international flew into the North East yesterday as he looks to conclude his move to Sunderland after choosing to join the club over offers from Saudi Arabia this summer.
Mendy scored 22 goals in 37 league appearances for Caen in Ligue 2, and netted 19 goals in the same division during the previous campaign. The striker joined Caen from Bordeaux in 2020 and has played in France his whole career after coming through the ranks at Nice.
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