Sunderland and Celtic ‘to target’ Antonino Gallo amid previous exit hint | OneFootball

Sunderland and Celtic are monitoring a move for Lecce full-back Antonino Gallo, with earlier remarks hinting he was eager to consider an exit.

Football Insider reports the 26-year-old is on several European shortlists, with both clubs among those eyeing a deal. He has impressed for Lecce this season.

Gallo is said to be under consideration as a replacement for Arthur Masuaku, who joined RC Lens on loan this week. Sunderland still have Reinildo Mandava and Dennis Cirkin at left-back, with Trai Hume, Lutsharel Geertruida and Luke O’Nien able to provide cover.

Celtic, managed by former Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill, are thought to want cover for Kieran Tierney due to Marcelo Saracchi’s injury-hit loan.

Reports in Italy suggest a valuation of about £3.5 million, and that Lecce plan to extend his contract, which expires this summer, by a year before deciding at the end of the campaign.

In October 2024, sporting director Stefano Trinchera said via TuttoMercatoWeb that Roma had considered Gallo, there was no direct negotiation, and the player was eager about the opportunity before staying at Lecce, where he remains important.

Gallo, a predominantly left-sided full-back signed from Virtus Francavilla in 2020, has made 175 senior appearances, scoring one goal with 10 assists. Lecce are 17th in Serie A, one point above the drop after 22 matches.

Source: Sunderland Echo