Sunderland ‘linked with’ £25m Arne Engels as Romaine Mundle clause and Kristjaan Speakman update emerge | OneFootball

Sunderland are being linked with a £25m move for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, plus interest in Chidera Ejuke, a Romaine Mundle clause and a Kristjaan Speakman update.

Sky Sports reports Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Fulham are interested in 22-year-old Belgium international Engels. Forest are said to have seen several January bids rejected, the last reportedly worth £25m, and remain keen amid Manchester City’s pursuit of Elliot Anderson and possible midfield needs at the City Ground.

Engels joined Celtic from Augsburg and is under contract until 2028, so any deal would likely demand a significant fee. With Florent Ghisolfi overseeing a major summer and Le Bris indicating Sunderland need three or four more consistent players, extra European workload makes midfield depth a live issue. He has four Belgium caps.

Afrik Foot states Sevilla winger Chidera Ejuke could leave after starting just six league games last season, and suggests Sunderland could suit his creativity and dribbling in a transition-focused approach. The 27-year-old would offer a different wide option, though the link currently appears one to watch.

Reports in Belgium suggest Standard Liege inserted a 10% sell-on when Mundle moved to Wearside, which would activate if Sunderland sanctioned any sale. Separately, Football Insider claims Dan Ashworth is a contender for Birmingham City’s director of football role, with Kristjaan Speakman and Mike Rigg also under consideration. Sunderland would retain most of any fee if that scenario arose. Speakman left Sunderland earlier this year after a key role in the club’s rise.

Source: Sunderland Echo