Sunderland Set To Secure Bosman Signing Of This Former Atletico Madrid Defender: Why The Move Makes Sense | OneFootball

In one of his recent posts, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed another signing update for Sunderland. Having completed a club-record £30m transfer for Habib Diarra from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, the newly-promoted Premier League outfit are now closing in on Reinildo Mandava, who is available on a Bosman upon being released by Atletico Madrid following the expiry of his contract.

The 31-year-old Mozambique international started his career at Ferroviário da Beira, followed by GD Maputo back in his homeland, before being roped in by Benfica for their reserves. He spent his time on loan with Fafe and Sporting Covilhã in the second tier of Portuguese football, and eventually joined top-flight team Belenenses SAD in the summer of 2018.

Meanwhile, French giants Lille snapped him up six months later, initially on loan with an option to secure his services for €3m. They tied him down on permanent terms, and his impressive stint in Ligue 1 saw the La Liga giants wrap Reinaldo up for €3m in January 2022.

MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 16: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona is challenged by Reinildo Mandava of Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga EA Sports match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on March 16, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

While the veteran left fullback featured sporadically over the past few campaigns, the availability of Javi Galán, as well as the potential arrival of Matteo Ruggeri from Atalanta, makes him surplus to requirements at Metropolitano. Yet he featured 30 times last season across competitions, and therefore, could become a smart recruit for Sunderland in their battle for survival.

What He Would Bring To Sunderland

The Black Cats scripted a dramatic comeback as they stunned Sheffield United in the play-off final, thanks to an injury-time winner by Brighton-bound Tom Watson. Gaffer Regis Le Bris has an exciting pool of young players, including Dennis Cirkin, who enjoyed a blistering campaign down the left as a first-team regular. Having said that, the French boss must find a balance between youth and experience to attune to the grind, demands and expectations of Premier League football.

Although they have been linked with Angelino and Harry Toffolo, Reinildo would be a better pick for various reasons. The latter, as well, is available for free, but his lack of involvement with Nottingham Forest casts doubts over his ability to perform at the highest level.

Angelino, on the other hand, is likely to cost them around £17m. Also, his addition might block Cirkin’s development, as the 23-year-old former England youth international would find himself as the understudy to the in-form AS Roma left-back.

Reinildo is not only a cheaper alternative but also offers more balance between defence and attack in comparison with the Spaniard. Being in his 30s, he should challenge and cover Cirkin for a couple of seasons. Moreover, any likelihood of his rumoured return to Tottenham Hotspur should be counterbalanced by the veteran Mozambican at the Stadium of Light.