Sunderland ‘to line up’ Dayann Methalie move as Timothée Pembélé and Dennis Cirkin futures develop | OneFootball

Sunderland are evaluating defensive additions for a season spanning the Premier League and Europa League, with fresh interest emerging on the left side.

The club have signed Thomas Meunier on a free, the Belgium international agreeing a two-year deal to add depth, leadership and European experience. Football Insider reports Sunderland are ‘to line up’ a move for Toulouse left-back Dayann Methalie.

Methalie, 20, broke through last term with 28 Ligue 1 games, two goals and one assist, and is a France Under-21 international. Sunderland’s recruitment team have closely tracked the French market under Régis Le Bris and director of football Florent Ghisolfi. The report adds that no offer has been lodged and talks are not advanced.

Linked with Newcastle United in January, Methalie said at the time: “It is flattering. One day, I will have to leave. I would like to play at the highest level. For now, I have to keep doing what I’m doing.” Speaking to Telefoot, he outlined long-term ambitions rather than immediate plans.

Timothée Pembélé is meanwhile close to a permanent return to Le Havre, L’ÉEquipe claims, after spending the second half of last season there on loan. The 23-year-old, signed from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, struggled for consistent minutes on Wearside and can operate at right-back or wing-back.

Former left-back Dennis Cirkin departed at the end of his Sunderland contract, having been a key figure in the climb from League One to the Premier League.

Source: Sunderland Echo