Ligue 1 Duo ‘Very Interested’ In Sunderland Ace As Bid Rejected

Several Sunderland stars are on the move away from the Stadium of Light this summer as the club’s squad overhaul ensues following the remarkable Europa League qualification. 

Earlier this week, full-back Dennis Cirkin revealed that he would be leaving Sunderland this summer upon the expiry of his contract, after featuring over 100 times in red-and-white since the League One days. 

Additionally, Academy of Light graduate goalkeeper Anthony Patterson seems poised to leave Sunderland ahead of next season, with last term’s number one having several Championship sides interested in his shot-stopping services. 

As well as Cirkin and Patterson, it appears that Romaine Mundle, another member of Regis Le Bris’ squad who helped steer the Black Cats to promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, could be departing the Stadium of Light in the upcoming summer transfer window as two Ligue 1 sides eye the winger. 

According to reports from journalist Santi Aouna on X, French top flight sides Toulouse and Strasbourg are “very interested” in Sunderland winger Mundle ahead of the summer window.

Additionally, Toulouse are said to have had an initial bid for Mundle rejected by Sunderland, and are expected to return with an improved proposal this week.

The likelihood of Mundle, who started just two Premier League games this season and played just 400 top flight minutes, leaving Sunderland is highly probable this summer given that he also reportedly “does not intend to extend his contract with the Black Cats”, which ends in 2028.

Aouna revealed via Foot Mercato: “According to our information, Toulouse and Strasbourg are very interested in the winger, who ends his contract in 2028.

“He does not intend to extend his contract with the Black Cats. Téfécé seems the hottest on the file, and made a first approach, pushed back by the English club.

Mundle was a crucial component of Le Bris promotion-winning Championship side, scoring five goals and assisting twice in 24 second tier outings in 2024/25, but struggled with injury setbacks throughout the campaign which saw him miss almost half of the Black Cats’ league outings. 

This season, the 23-year-old left-winger has found game time much harder to come by upon promotion to the Premier League. 

Unfortunately for Tottenham Hotspur academy product Mundle, those persistent niggling injury issues which have blighted his time on Wearside since he arrived in early 2024, have continued this season. 

His injury record and contractual status will reduce Sunderland’s bargaining power with the two French sides, with transfermarkt.com listing the Englishman’s current market value at an estimated £6m fee. 

For Mundle, a departure from the Stadium of Light after a two-plus year stint to either of the aforementioned suitors in Ligue 1 could be the fresh start the ex-Standard Liege starlet needs to kickstart his career and prove his top flight credentials.