"If we got £20m for Jack Clarke" - Sunderland AFC: Romaine Mundle transfer claim made | OneFootball

FLW's Black Cats fan pundit has placed a hefty price tag on Romaine Mundle after his impressive return to the team in recent weeks

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle has been predicted to become a Premier League player soon due to his standout showings that have helped the Black Cats become serious contenders in the race for promotion in the Championship this season.

Regis Le Bris has led his young side to being the surprise package at the top of the second-tier this term, and Mundle has been a key part of his impressive young side despite his recent injury issues.

The London-born winger 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 has sprung into life this season to become an important player under Le Bris as Sunderland look to make it back to the Premier League.

Fan pundit issues Romaine Mundle price tag demand and Premier League prediction

Mundle started this season out of the starting eleven, yet scored the winner against Burnley on his first start of the campaign, then followed that up with further strikes against Portsmouth and Plymouth Argyle.

He registered four goals and two assists in 15 league outings before suffering a hamstring injury in November that kept him sidelined for three months.

His long-awaited return came against Hull City last month, and he started in wins against Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday before netting a superb long-range strike against Preston North End last week. His impact on the team this season has been clear, and it is imperative that he stays fit in order for Le Bris' side to stand the best chance of going up.

FLW's Black Cats fan pundit, Jack Austwicke, has placed a price-tag of upwards of £10m on Mundle ahead of a summer where he is bound to attract transfer attraction, and he believes that the 21-year-old has the potential to become a top-flight player soon.

“I think Romaine Mundle definitely does have the potential to go to the Premier League," Jack told FLW.

“He’s already proven himself a lot this season. Obviously, taking over from Jack Clarke he had big boots to fill, and he has filled them quite well when he’s been fit.

“Obviously he’s been injured for quite a while now, but he’s come back in and earned Sunderland a point on Tuesday night against Preston, an important point.

“He’s skillful, direct, intelligent as well. Good player, quick. Good defensively, as well. You can definitely see him becoming a Premier League player soon, one of those that a mid-table team signs.

“I’d probably put about £10m-£15m on him at the minute. If we got £20m for Jack Clarke, then that seems about right.”

Mundle has been hailed by Regis Le Bris after his strong return from injury

Mundle's impact on Sunderland's performances cannot be understated - he was greatly missed in his time in the treatment room, despite Tommy Watson's emergence in his absence.

The Black Cats' chances of automatic promotion have slipped away in recent weeks and months, but they need to remain comfortably in the top six so they can go into the play-offs in May in strong form and riding the crest of a wave. Mundle will undoubtedly boost their chances of doing so, and his talent has already been made clear once again after his brilliant goal against Preston last week.

Boss Le Bris hailed his strike against the Lilywhites as "absolutely brilliant", and has hopes that he will be able to produce more star turns from the left wing as the campaign comes to a close soon.

He was unable to help the Black Cats avoid a tough loss against fellow promotion chasers Coventry City last time out, but the upcoming international break gives the 21-year-old the chance to rest and recover as he continues on the comeback trail from his relatively long-term injury lay-off.

Mundle already has the pedigree of coming through a Premier League academy from his time with Spurs, and he could well become a top-flight player with Sunderland very soon if he continues in a similar vein of form.

The Black Cats will certainly not want to sell him this summer, but their league status could well determine his availability, as Premier League clubs will no doubt have been alerted to his talents over the last 12 months and may fancy a move ahead of next term.