Sunderland ‘monitor’ World Cup midfielder as Arne Engels ‘to decide’ future soon | OneFootball

Sunderland are reportedly battling Fulham and Brentford for Ivory Coast international Christ Inao Oulaï, while Celtic’s Arne Engels is weighing up his next step.

225Foot reports that the Black Cats are monitoring Trabzonspor midfielder Oulaï after an eye-catching first season in the Super Lig in Türkiye. The 20-year-old registered two goals and four assists in 31 appearances as Trabzonspor finished third behind Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. He is in Ivory Coast’s World Cup squad and could win his 12th cap against Curacao on Thursday night.

The Daily Record claims Engels has changed agents ahead of a possible move and has told Celtic he will make a firm decision before pre-season. Signed from Augsberg for a reported £11m in summer 2024, the 22-year-old has 17 goals and 21 assists in 98 appearances, winning two Premiership titles plus the Scottish Cup and League Cup. The report adds Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Fulham have shown interest, with Napoli, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund also monitoring him.

Sunderland are two weeks into the summer window without a signing, as Regis Le Bris looks to strengthen a squad preparing for a first Europa League campaign after a seventh-place finish on their Premier League return.

A report in France suggested Le Bris declined the chance to sign former Newcastle winger Florian Thauvin on a free while at Lorient, believing the France international was burnt out. Le Bris progressed from Lorient’s academy and ‘B’ team to the first-team job before departing for Wearside.

Source: Sunderland Echo