Samuel Lino, Reinildo Mandava. (REUTERS/Isabel Infantes)
Fresh off their long-awaited return to the Premier League, Sunderland are wasting no time in preparing for the challenge ahead.
Their dramatic playoff final win over Sheffield United ended an eight-year top-flight exile — but with big names like Southampton, Ipswich, and Leicester all crashing back down last season, survival is anything but guaranteed.
Head coach Régis Le Bris knows his squad will need to hit the ground running, especially after losing breakout midfielder Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund. The 19-year-old is following in the footsteps of his older brother Jude, leaving a sizeable hole in Sunderland’s midfield.
Fortunately for Black Cats fans, the club’s recruitment drive is already well underway. French midfielder Enzo Le Fée — who impressed on loan last season — has joined permanently from Roma, while Sunderland are actively pursuing deals for Cameron Carter-Vickers, Japhet Tanganga, and Strasbourg’s Habib Diarra.
A move for OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka is also in the works — a commanding, ball-playing keeper who would add top-level experience and calm to a young backline.
Sunderland Agree Reinildo Deal
In another bold statement of intent, Sunderland have reportedly struck an agreement to sign former Atlético Madrid defender Reinildo Mandava on a free transfer.
The 31-year-old Mozambique international, released by Atleti this summer, has accepted a two-year deal worth a reported £65,000 per week, according to The Guardian — making him one of the highest earners at the club as they gear up for Premier League survival.
Reinildo featured in Atlético’s recent Club World Cup campaign and made 74 La Liga appearances during his three-and-a-half-year spell in the Spanish capital, often providing reliable cover at left-back behind Renan Lodi and Mario Hermoso. Despite limited starts, he earned admiration for his discipline, grit and willingness to step up when needed.
Diego Simeone once described him as “intelligent” and “hard-working” — qualities Sunderland hope will translate into on-pitch leadership and composure in the top flight.
At the Stadium of Light, Reinildo is expected to be far more than a backup. His blend of big-game experience and no-nonsense defending could prove vital in anchoring a back line set to face the Premier League’s elite.
About the Author
