Sunderland transfers: World Cup star linked as Celtic midfielder set for future decision
The latest transfer talk from Sunderland as the Black Cats look to add to their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
Sunderland are reportedly facing competition from Premier League rivals Fulham and Brentford in the race for an Ivory Coast international midfielder.
The Black Cats are working to boost their squad ahead of their first venture into the Europa League after Regis Le Bris guided his side to an outstanding seventh place finish in their first season back in the Premier League. As it stands two weeks into the summer transfer window, Sunderland are yet to add any new faces to their ranks - but there have been links with several potential additions from across Europe.
African news outlet 225Foot have claimed the Black Cats are monitoring Trabzonspor midfielder Christ Inao Oulaï after he impressed throughout his first season with the Turkish Super Lig club. The 20-year-old scored two goals and provided four assists in 31 appearances in all competitions as Trabzon finished in third place in the table behind arch rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. Oulaï’s progress earned him a place in the Ivory Coast squad for the World Cup finals and he will hope to earn his twelfth senior cap when they face Curacao in their final group stage game on Thursday night.
Black Cats linked with Belgian star
Sunderland have been credited with an interest in Celtic and Belgium playmaker Arne Engels. The Daily Record have claimed the midfielder has recently switched agents ahead of a possible move away from the Scottish Premiership champions and has already informed Celtic he will make a firm decision on his future before they return to pre-season training.
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The 22-year-old initially joined the Hoops from German club Augsberg in a reported £11m deal during the summer of 2024 and has gone on to score 17 goals and provide 21 assists in 98 appearances during his time at Celtic Park. After winning two Premiership titles and lifting the Scottish Cup and League Cup over the last two seasons, there have been suggestions Engels has interest from clubs across Europe and the Record report states Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Fulham have all shown an interest. However, a number of clubs on the continent are also said to be keen with Serie A duo Napoli and AC Milan and Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund also believed to have monitored the four-times capped Belgium international in recent months.
Le Bris delivered snub to former Newcastle United flop
Regis Le Bris reportedly snubbed an opportunity to sign an expensive Newcastle United flop during his time with former club Lorient. The current Black Cats boss became an influential figure within the Ligue 1 club’s academy set-up and took charge of their ‘B’ team before stepping up to senior level four years ago. It was during his time with the Lorient first-team that Le Bris was offered an opportunity to sign former Magpies winger Florian Thauvin on a free transfer following his departure from Mexican side Tigres UANL. However, one report in France has suggested Le Bris felt the France international was ‘burnt out’ and declined the chance to add him to his squad.
French journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter posted on X:“Florian Thauvin had been proposed to Coach Le Bris through an agent who called the shots at Lorient. Coach Regis Le Bris didn’t even look at it: he’s burned out, he was on vacation in Mexico, not Ligue 1 level, doesn’t interest me.” Thauvin joined Italian club Udinese during the same summer before enjoying a successful return to French football by helping Lens lift the Coupe de France last season.
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