The Potential which the striker Sunderland need this summer has made him outstanding…
Kristjaan Speakman has been defiant in his message this summer in that Sunderland have never abstained from bringing in so-called ‘senior’ players, despite the average age of the squad dropping in each of the last two seasons. But are Sunderland about to do something they haven’t for a number of years and bring in an established centre-forward?
The £6million buy-back transfer clause between Sunderland and Tottenham has now expired
Dennis Cirkin’s performance against Cardiff City on Saturday in the Championship was a brilliant reminder of how good the full-back is.
The former Tottenham man arrived at Sunderland at the beginning of the 2021-22 season as the Black Cats gained promotion to the Championship under Alex Neil. The left-back played 34 times for the Wearsiders that campaign.
Since then, Cirkin has experienced injury troubles and was limited to 28 league appearances the season after and just eight during the 2023-24 campaign. However, new head coach Régis Le Bris has been boosted by the return to fitness of Cirkin with the defender starring against Cardiff City.
Spurs did have a buy-back option of £6million which has now expired with reports some time ago suggesting the Premier League club were looking into taking Cirkin back. The transfer clause was valid until 30 June 2024. Tottenham, though, will be entitled to a percentage of the profit on any subsequent sale of Cirkin, who is under contract at Sunderland until 2026.
Stoke City have reportedly opened talks with Premier League club Fulham over a possible deal for Sunderland target Jay Stansfield.
The 21-year-old striker has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Stadium of Light over the last 12 months as the Black Cats looked to boost their attacking ranks. After scoring 13 goals and providing three assists in 47 appearances during a season-long loan at Birmingham City last season, there were reports suggesting Stansfield could be in line for a quickfire return to the League One club. However, Fulham boss Marco Silva moved to quash any talk of an exit and suggested the striker was firmly in his plans for the new season.
Speaking in the final weeks of last season, Silva said: “He’s going to be back with us. Everything we planned, apart from the collective goal of Birmingham which was not what we wanted, was a box ticked. He played the season before in League One, and to be able to give a step forward in the Championship and be an important piece in the attack-line and score important goals (was pleasing). Jay achieved all the important things. Now is the moment for him to come back and be one of the players in our attacking line for next season.”
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