Sunderland And Rangers Set To Rival For This Premier League Left-back: What He Would Bring For Them | OneFootball

In one of his latest reports on Patreon, journalist Alan Nixon has shared an update on Nottingham Forest outcast Harry Toffolo. The left fullback is expected to part ways next month on a Bosman, but could retain his Premier League status amid interest from Sunderland. However, the Black Cats are not alone in the hunt, with Scottish giants Rangers also keen on securing his services north of the border.

The 29-year-old former England youth international progressed through the academy ranks of Norwich City but struggled to break into the Canaries’ first-team plans. He spent his time out on loan with Swindon Town, Rotherham United, Peterborough United, Scunthorpe United and Doncaster Rovers for gametime before joining Millwall in January 2019.

After failing to make a single appearance, Toffolo was again on the move in six months upon being released by the Lions. But the decision to join Lincoln City in League Two helped him revive his career. Huddersfield Town, the then-Championship side, snapped him up in January 2020, and the left-back eventually completed a €2.4m transfer to Forest in the aftermath of the Town’s 2022 EFL Championship play-off final defeat against the latter.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 21: Harry Toffolo of Nottingham Forest is challenged by Chiedozie Ogbene of Luton Town during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Luton Town at City Ground on October 21, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

Although he featured 50 times for The Tricky Trees in his first two seasons, Toffolo found himself down the pecking order behind Neco Williams and Alex Moreno throughout the previous campaign. He does not belong to Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans, but his experience could be key for Sunderland, who would primarily focus on retaining their top-flight status.

Why Sunderland And Rangers Might Have A Transfer Tug-of-war

The Black Cats have Dennis Cirkin, who enjoyed a blistering 2024-25 season. The English prodigy has a bright future ahead, but the club must snap up an alternative to challenge and cover the academy graduate. Trai Hume, Ajibola Alese and Joseph Anderson can slot in as a makeshift left fullback, but they would benefit from having a specialist of Toffolo’s profile.

Yet a switch to Rangers could be ideal for the Englishman. The new dawn under Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprise would begin with a squad revamp, as Kevin Thelwell, their director of football, and the newly appointed manager, Russell Martin, have been handed a £20m transfer war chest to close the gap with Celtic.

While the Gers have Jefte and Ridvan Yilmaz down the left, the Turkish ace could finally return to his homeland amid persistent rumours during his injury-ravaged tenure. Jefte has been excellent since joining them last summer, but the addition of Toffolo would inject more firepower for his persistent overlapping runs. The opportunity of playing in Europe might tempt him to be a part of Martin’s rebuild; nevertheless, Sunderland’s project under Régis Le Bris could be intriguing if he prefers to stay in England.