Sunderland ‘monitoring’ Christ Inao Oulaï as Arne Engels ‘to decide’ future, with Fulham and Brentford interest | OneFootball

Sunderland are exploring midfield additions, with Christ Inao Oulaï linked and Arne Engels weighing up his future, amid reported rival interest from Fulham and Brentford. Regis Le Bris led them to seventh in their Premier League return, and Europa League qualification, yet two weeks into the window there have been no arrivals.

225Foot reports that Sunderland are monitoring Trabzonspor midfielder Oulaï after an impressive first season in Türkiye.

The 20-year-old produced two goals and four assists in 31 games as Trabzonspor finished third behind Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. His progress earned a World Cup call with Ivory Coast, and he could win a 12th cap against Curacao on Thursday night in their final group game.

The Daily Record claims Sunderland have been credited with an interest in Celtic and Belgium playmaker Arne Engels. It adds that he has changed agents and told Celtic he will decide his future before pre-season.

Engels joined the Hoops from German club Augsberg in a reported £11m deal in summer 2024, and has 17 goals and 21 assists in 98 appearances. The four-times capped Belgium international has won two Premiership titles plus the Scottish Cup and League Cup, with interest also said to come from Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Napoli, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund.

Meanwhile, a report in France suggested Regis Le Bris turned down the chance to sign former Newcastle winger Florian Thauvin at Lorient after judging the France international to be burnt out, following his exit from Tigres UANL.

Source: Sunderland Echo