Sunderland must beat Leeds United and Burnley in battle to sign ‘excellent’ bargain amid release clause twist

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The newly-promoted trio of Sunderland, Leeds United, and Burnley are reportedly in a transfer battle to sign an impressive second tier defender.

Enzo Le Fee became Sunderland’s first summer signing following their Premier League promotion, seeing the Roma loanee stay permanently for a fee in the region of £20 million.

As was the case for all Sunderland supporters, Le Fee admitted that the play-off final was the most important game of his life, which has seen him become a permanent member of Regis Le Bris’ squad.

Owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has set the transfer budget at around £100m, and with the sale of Tommy Watson and the imminent departure of Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund, the transfer coffers are full on Wearside this summer.

As the summer transfer window ramps up, the trio who earned promotion from the Championship this season are reportedly locked in a battle to sign an “excellent” defender they all know well.

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Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland hold strong interest in Japhet Tanganga

Sunderland have already been targeting backline recruits this summer, and have lately been linked with a £20m move for Monaco defender Wilfried Singo, who the Black Cats could have the upper hand in signing through club chief Juan Sartori’s Monaco connections.

Aside from Singo, the latest defender linked with a move to Wearside is Millwall ace Japhet Tanganga, who made 40 starts in the second tier this season for the Lions.

Reports from Give Me Sport state: “Millwall defender Japhet Tanganga is attracting strong interest from the trio of newly-promoted Premier League clubs, with Leeds United, Sunderland and Burnley among those keen on a move for the defender.”

Spurs academy graduate Tanganga also reportedly has a release clause worth just under £2 million as per the report, which would constitute a bargain for either of the trio interested in the 26-year-old, given his experience and pedigree.

Former Sunderland boss Alex Neil has sung the praises of his Millwall Player of the Season Tanganga this season.

Via Southwark News, Millwall boss Neil said: “He’s a key member of our team.

“What happens in the summer, at the moment, I’m not quite sure how that lands. I don’t know what his views on it are.

“He’s the ultimate professional, Japh. His performances throughout the games have been excellent.”

Despite the fierce competition for his signature, the make-up of Sunderland’s current squad and recent transfer revelations surrounding Bournemouth loanee Chris Mepham pile the pressure on the Black Cats’ recruitment team to secure Tanganga’s signature at the expense of Leeds and Burnley.

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Sunderland must sign Japhet Tanganga amid Chris Mepham uncertainty

Cherries loanee Mepham made 40 second tier appearances at Sunderland this season, playing an integral role in Le Bris’ promotion-winning squad, and was the Black Cats’ best centre-half in 24/25.

However, EFL Analysis has exclusively revealed this week that Burnley could trump Sunderland and Sheffield United to Mepham, as a summer move away from the Vitality Stadium seems inevitable.

Sunderland were short on central defenders this season, with Mepham, Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien being relied on far too heavily in the heart of defence.

Akin to Mepham (61), Tanganga has 27 top flight appearances under his belt, as well as European experience, which would be imperative for Le Bris’ young Sunderland side who are inexperienced in the Premier League.

Callum Doyle is another centre-half Sunderland should target, but the financial aspect of the Tanganga deal regarding the minimal release clause for such a quality player makes the deal a no-brainer for the Black Cats’ recruitment team.