Sunderland linked with £27m double move as Geertruida, Ballard, Mundle and Patterson latest | OneFootball

According to Sunderland Echo, Sunderland have been linked with two deals worth a combined £27m as Régis Le Bris issued updates on Dan Ballard, Romaine Mundle, Anthony Patterson and Lutsharel Geertruida. Sunderland opened pre-season with a 5-1 win at York City.

Ballard is on course to return during the US tour after ankle surgery. His 2025/26 campaign ended early after a red card in the 1-1 draw with Wolves.

Mundle missed the game as a precaution, with no suggestion of a setback and his workload being managed. Leo Hjelde will be assessed after a second-half knee issue.

Sunderland chose not to trigger the near-£20m option to sign Geertruida permanently after his loan. Thomas Meunier’s free-transfer availability was viewed as the better route, allowing greater spend on priority positions.

Patterson did not feature while his long-term future remains unresolved. Several Championship clubs are interested, but none has met Sunderland’s valuation.

Timur Tutierov scored twice amid an apparent shift in the club’s stance, having been seen as a likely summer departure.

Ontheminute.com reports Bodø/Glimt’s Jens Petter Hauge is being monitored, with Leeds United and Hull City also interested. ExWHUEmployee links Leicester defender Ben Nelson, while Fabrizio Romano has clarified Manchester United’s stance on Amad Diallo after Newcastle links.

Source: Sunderland Echo