Sunderland braced for new transfer challenge from Europe on ‘absolutely brilliant’ young star
The Black Cats could have a battle to keep some of their top names on Wearside
Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle is reportedly being targeted by European sides PSV Eindhoven and OGC Nice. This is according to a new report as the Black Cats plan to open contract talks with the 22-year-old after their promotion to the Premier League.
Young talents Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg have long been mooted with respective moves away from the Stadium of Light, but the Black Cats now seemingly face a fight to keep hold of star winger Mundle, who was key in their promotion campaign.
London-born winger Mundle made the move to Wearside from Standard Liege last February in a deal worth around £2.5 million, after he had only spent six months in the Belgian Pro League following a June 2023 switch from Tottenham Hotspur.
He did not make much of an impact in his first half-season at the Stadium of Light, but sprung into life at the start of the recent campaign to become an important player under Le Bris as the Black Cats kept pace with the automatic promotion chasers.
He registered four goals and two assists in his first 15 league outings before suffering a hamstring injury in November that kept him sidelined for three months. He returned to action to help Sunderland consolidate their place in the top-six, and started at Wembley last weekend as they emerged victorious in the play-off final.
Now that their promotion has been confirmed, Sky Sports’ Keith Downie has reported that the Black Cats are readying fresh contract terms for the 22-year-old as they aim to tie him down to a longer deal.
The same report claims that both PSV and Nice are keeping tabs on his progress ahead of a potential move in the upcoming transfer window, while unnamed Premier League clubs are also interested.
Mundle’s impact on Sunderland’s performances throughout the last season cannot be understated – he was greatly missed in his time in the treatment room, despite Tommy Watson’s emergence in his absence.
His impressive dribbling statistics and attacking prowess have made him one of the first names on Le Bris’ team-sheet when he is fit, and that is likely set to remain the same in the Premier League even if the Black Cats look to bring in a new left-winger.
Boss Regis Le Bris hailed his performances as “absolutely brilliant” back in March, and Mundle already has the pedigree of coming through a Premier League academy from his time with Spurs, so he could well impress in the top-flight next season if given ample chances to shine.
