Sunderland agree deal for former Tottenham player in Belgian League swoop | OneFootball

Highlights

Sunderland haven't added to their attacking ranks in the January transfer window thus far but that could all be set to change with reports suggesting a winger from the Belgian League will be on his way to the Stadium of Light.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Michael Beale's side have agreed a permanent deal to take Englishman Romaine Mundle from Standard Liege to Wearside in a surprise swoop that will see the former Tottenham youngster end his six-month stint in the Benelux nation, and those claims have been backed up by Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

Mundle, who is 20 years old, came through the ranks at Tottenham and joined their under-23 side two years ago, but failed to make the first-team grade in north London and subsequently moved to the Belgian Pro League in order to garner game time. But despite making a handful of appearances, his spell abroad will be cut short and he's set to be installed as the newest addition to a young Sunderland team.

Romaine Mundle profiled

An attacker who can play on either side of the striker, Mundle has made six top-flight appearances in Belgium since joining Standard on a free transfer in the summer. He's yet to register a goal or an assist for Ronny Deila's men and has only featured twice since the back end of August - with an ankle injury and bench appearances hampering his game time.

None of those games have been starts, but it's the second division where Mundle has produced better stats. Two goals in just four games means he's taken advantage of B teams being used in any division except the top-flight, but a lack of game time for the first team means that Mundle may not want to be limited to youth appearances for much longer.

It remains unsure as to whether Mundle would become a first-team player straight away, and a lot of that could hinge on whether Jack Clarke leaves the club in the coming hours of the transfer window. But if he does depart for pastures new, Mundle may well get a chance either off the bench or in the starting XI as Sunderland look to secure a play-off place.

Sunderland transfer latest

With Alex Pritchard reportedly likely to leave the club, and Jack Clarke coming under interest from Lazio, Beale might want to add to his squad. Mundle may not have the experience of the potentially departed duo, but in a young squad that boasts the likes of Jobe Bellingham, Dan Neil, Chris Rigg and more, Mundle would still likely fit in with the dynamics of the group and impress for the future, with a contract set to be signed until 2027.

Elsewhere, Leeds defender Leo Hjelde is reportedly set to join in a deal that will be worth £2million as Beale aims to strengthen his backline.

A young quartet of Luke O'Nien, Dan Ballard, Jenson Seelt and Hjelde will have plenty of room to improve in the future and with the former Celtic youngster nowhere near the first team picture at Elland Road, he could be afforded a second-tier chance in the north east over the coming years should be begin to impress in training at the Stadium of Light.