Sunderland ‘to line up’ Dayann Methalie move as Timothée Pembélé nears return | OneFootball

Sunderland are assessing defensive reinforcements for Premier League and Europa League campaigns, with Football Insider reporting interest in Toulouse left-back Dayann Methalie and L’Équipe claiming Timothée Pembélé is set for a permanent return to Le Havre.

Régis Le Bris has already added Thomas Meunier on a free, the Belgium international signing a two-year deal to bring depth, leadership and European experience. Methalie, 20, broke through last season with 28 Ligue 1 appearances, producing two goals and one assist.

Le Bris and director of football Florent Ghisolfi have closely tracked the French market. The report says Sunderland view Methalie as capable of stepping into the Premier League, although there is no indication of a bid or advanced talks.

“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,” he told Telefoot.

Pembélé, 23, can operate at right-back or wing-back and struggled for regular minutes after joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. A move back to Le Havre would offer familiar surroundings for the player and streamline Sunderland’s squad before the new season.

Source: Sunderland Echo