BREAKING: Sunderland have been handed a golden chance to sign 26 years old Centre-Back- Decision On The Club
Sunderland are interested in centre-back Modibo Sagnan after Montpellier’s relegation, according to French newspaper Midi Libre.
Sunderland have got a crucial Championship play-off final to prepare for this weekend but the relevant off-pitch figures at SAFC will also have eyes on the summer beyond this season’s end.
The outcome of the final will dictate the summer business done on Wearside, of course. They will be investing heavily if promotion is won, though key player sales are not out of the question regardless of how the campaign ends.
Recruitment figures will have eyes on potential summer targets already, and a new name has emerged in fresh speculation.
A report from regional French newspaper Midi Libre states Sunderland are an admirer of Montpellier centre-back Modibo Sagnan.
The 26-year-old is among the players likely to move on from Montpellier following their relegation from Ligue 1 and it seems he has admirers on these shores. While SAFC have been said keen now, Leeds United were linked earlier this year.
Sagnan only joined from FC Utrecht in the winter of 2024 and is under contract until 2028, so it will take a fee to prise him away from the French club in the upcoming summer window.
Sagnan has got a good amount of experience in top-flight leagues across Europe, so he might be well equipped to step up to the Premier League if Sunderland are to make it.
The four-time Mali international has played in La Liga, Ligue 1, Liga Portugal and the Eredivisie across spells with Real Sociedad, Montpellier, Tondela and FC Utrecht respectively, so he comes with a decent level of pedigree.
Perhaps it isn’t out of the question to say Sagnan could be an SAFC target regardless of how the campaign ends though. He would be a good asset in the Championship and given Montpellier’s relegation, he might not be one they can only afford in the Premier League.
Sunderland’s centre-back options
Looking at the Sunderland squad, it seems likely that at least one centre-back will be on thee radar regardless of whether promotion is won or not.
Chris Mepham’s loan will be expiring and it remains to be seen if he is someone SAFC look to sign permanently. He has been a useful asset this season but his form has perhaps failed off towards the end of the campaign when compared to the fine form he found in the opening months especially.
Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien are mainstays while Jenson Seelt and Aji Alese have struggled with injuries. Joe Anderson has remained on the fringes while Leo Hjelde can cover in the middle if needs be.
