Sunderland ‘interested in’ £25m Celtic midfielder as Romaine Mundle clause and Kristjaan Speakman update | OneFootball

Sunderland have been linked with Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, with a £25m figure being cited, while fresh lines on Romaine Mundle and Kristjaan Speakman have emerged.

Sky Sports reports Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Sunderland are interested in the 22-year-old Belgian international, with Forest seeing several January bids, the last about £25m, rejected. Forest are still keen, with Manchester City pursuing Elliot Anderson and midfield cover potentially needed at the City Ground.

Engels joined Celtic from Augsburg and is under contract until 2028, so any deal would likely be costly. He has four Belgium caps.

Afrik Foot reports Sevilla winger Chidera Ejuke could leave after starting just six league games, and suggests Sunderland could suit his creativity and dribbling. The 27-year-old would add experience, though the link is not advanced.

Reports in Belgium suggest Standard Liege inserted a 10% sell-on when Romain Mundle joined Sunderland for around €1.8m, and would benefit from any future sale. The same report puts his value near €7m and says there is interest.

Mundle has shown flashes at Sunderland and the attacking unit is expected to change this summer. Any genuine bids would test the club’s stance, though Sunderland would keep the bulk of any fee.

Football Insider claims former sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is in contention for Birmingham City’s director of football role with Dan Ashworth and Mike Rigg. He left earlier this year after helping Sunderland from League One to the Premier League.

Source: Sunderland Echo