adminSunderland fans may be growing increasingly frustrated with the club’s slow transfer activity this summer, with Thomas Meunier currently the only new arrival at the Stadium of Light.
With less than two weeks remaining before Sunderland begin their Premier League campaign away to newly promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road, Régis Le Bris’ squad has seen just one addition.
That is particularly notable given the Black Cats will also have to cope with an additional eight Europa League fixtures this season.
Meunier joined Sunderland on a free transfer after his contract with Ligue 1 outfit Lille expired last month. The experienced Belgian defender has strengthened Le Bris’ defensive options and could prove particularly useful during a demanding campaign.
How Thomas Meunier could be used by Sunderland
Meunier explained during his first interview as a Sunderland player that the opportunity to compete in European football was one of the factors behind his decision to move to Wearside.
The 34-year-old could become an important rotation option for Le Bris, particularly in the Europa League, allowing regular right-backs Nordi Mukiele and Trai Hume to be rested when necessary.
With Sunderland facing a busy schedule across domestic and European competitions, managing player workloads will be crucial. Meunier’s versatility and experience could therefore make him a valuable squad player rather than someone expected to start every match.
The Belgian can operate in both full-back positions and has the ability to play further forward when required. His experience could give Le Bris another reliable option whenever one of his regular starters needs a break.
Sunderland target £28m-rated Toulouse defender
Sunderland are now reportedly pushing to add another full-back, and a move for Toulouse defender Dayann Methalie could represent a significantly bigger investment.
According to L’Equipe, Sunderland have already submitted a £28m offer for the highly-rated left-back, but Toulouse rejected the proposal as negotiations over a transfer fee continue.
The report claims that Methalie has already decided that he wants to join Sunderland, meaning personal terms are unlikely to prove difficult. However, the two clubs still need to find common ground over the final fee.
Toulouse are reportedly willing to let the 20-year-old leave this summer, although they are demanding around £30m. That is only £2m more than Sunderland’s rejected bid, potentially leaving the Premier League club with a relatively straightforward decision to make.
Why Methalie could be Sunderland’s best summer signing
If Sunderland manage to complete a deal for Methalie, he could immediately become one of the standout additions of their summer window.
The Black Cats struggled for goals last season, scoring just 42 times across their 38 Premier League matches, so adding another attacking threat from the left side could be a major boost.
Methalie’s performances for Toulouse suggest he could offer considerably more going forward than current first-choice left-back Reinildo. His attacking contribution could provide Sunderland with an additional outlet and give the team greater balance in possession.
Age is another major factor. At just 20, Methalie would represent both a short-term upgrade and a long-term investment, potentially establishing himself as Sunderland’s first-choice left-back for years to come.
That contrasts with Meunier, who is now 34 and is more likely to serve as an experienced depth option during his two-year contract.
While Meunier’s experience could prove extremely useful during Sunderland’s return to European football, Methalie would offer greater long-term upside and potentially become a key player in Le Bris’ starting XI.
For that reason, Sunderland should consider increasing their offer by the additional £2m required to secure the Toulouse defender. If they can complete the deal, Methalie could arguably become their most significant signing of the summer so far.
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