MIDWEEK ROUNDUP

Kristjaan Speakman has been speaking about Regis Le Bris’ contract situation, we’ve been linked with numerous different players and the new bridge across the River Wear has received a new name.

RLB CONTRACT SITUATION

Kristjaan Speakman doesn’t seem too concerned about us potentially losing Regis Le Bris, with him receiving interest from some top flight clubs in France.

Here’s what our sporting director had to say:

“In terms of his contract, we’re in a really good spot with that so there’s not really an issue there that I need to comment on. We’re all just focused on the games that are going to be coming up. First and foremost, Regis has committed to the Sunderland project. From the way that he’s gone about his work, all the conversations we’ve had with him, planning and strategising ahead of next season, I think he’s thoroughly enjoyed his time and his work here. You come to one of the biggest clubs in England, and he’s been instrumental in helping us solve that last piece of the jigsaw in terms of being able to get back to the Premier League. Now, he has a chance of being a Premier League coach and pitting his wits against some of the best coaches in world football. I know he’s really looking forward to that.”

LINKED PLAYERS

Part and parcel of being promoted is being linked with a lot of different players, rather than telling you literally all of them, I’ve picked out three of them which I think are the most interesting.

23-year-old Ukrainian striker Vladyslav Vanat is the first one, he currently turns out for Dynamo Kyiv and has 11 caps and two goals for his national side. So far, he’s made 85 appearances during his career and scored 30 goals. 27 of those goals have come in the last two campaigns and he’s won two Ukrainian Premier League titles. He’s twice been named the same competition’s Player of the Month and been its top goalscorer in 2023-24 and 2024-25. We’re favourites to sign him and we are considering a bid of just under £17 million for his services. We face competition from Everton, Leeds United and Fulham in England and Trabzonspor in Turkey.

Next up is 18-year-old midfielder Lennon Miller of Motherwell, who’s already made nearly 80 appearances for his club and been capped a couple of times for the senior Scotland national team. Last season he scored four and assisted eight in 39 games in all competitions and is capable of operating in the centre of midfield or as a more attacking or defensive midfielder. He’s highly rated, having just been named the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year. We are prepared to offer £10 million to bring him to Wearside. Udinese have already had a bid worth a quarter of that rejected, the two major Glasgow clubs are obviously vying for his signature as well, so too are Borussia Dortmund.

Finally, there’s Mozambique international centre-back Reinildo. He’s 31 and currently plays for Athletico Madrid but will become a free agent upon the conclusion of the coming Club World Cup. Also capable of playing as a left-back or left-wing-back, he won Ligue 1 with Lille in 2021, is one game off of 50 caps for his country and can boast over 100 appearances for his current side. Nottingham Forest, Leeds and clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia are his other options. Reinildo does have a chance to make some history, as he’d be the first player from Mozambique to play in the Premier League should he come to England.

NEW BRIDGE NAMED

After a public vote from a City Council selected shortlist, the new footbridge across the River Wear will be called the Keel Crossing. Unfortunately, Regis Le Bridge and Oi Bridge Man were not up for consideration.