Latest news with #HabibDiarra
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Regis Le Bris admits to Sunderland selection hints ahead of start of the season
REGIS LE BRIS has admitted that the starting line-up for Sunderland's friendly draw with Sevilla last night provides an indication as to his thinking ahead of the start of the Premier League season. While Habib Diarra was the only new signing to feature in the previous weekend's win at South Shields, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra all started the Black Cats' draw in the Algarve. Le Bris changed his entire team at the interval, bringing on the likes of Dan Neil, Patrick Roberts and Wilson Isidor, who were key performers last season, but with the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign now less than a month away, the Sunderland boss admits he is starting to turn his attention to his likely line-up to face West Ham. 'I think it's obvious that we can't waste time,' said Le Bris, who saw Enzo Le Fee's opener cancelled out by a last-gasp strike from Ruben Vargas. 'It doesn't mean that two or three players who played in the second [half] aren't able to play in the first half [team]. 'It's obvious [that they can]. At the same time, we need now to work on the core of the squad to be ready to be competitive in three weeks.' READ MORE: Le Bris' midfield selection was especially telling, with Sadiki starting as the deepest-lying midfielder, with Diarra and Le Fee playing ahead of him. A lot can still happen between now and the start of the season, but it appears as though Le Bris currently sees those three players filling broadly-similar roles through the rest of pre-season, with a view to potentially starting together against West Ham. 'It's (Sadiki playing as a number six) an option,' said Le Bris. 'Noah has played in this position before so it's not unusual for him. 'Habib likes running in behind, he's a really good runner, so I think it fits their main profiles. I was happy with the connection they created so early, it's not easy after two weeks to play at that level. So, it's good for the future.' With Armand Lauriente's £17.5m move from Sassuolo expected to be completed in the next couple of days, the bulk of Sunderland's midfield and attacking strengthening is now complete. Attention will now switch to the defence, with yesterday's friendly having highlighted the current lack of depth in the absence of the injured Luke O'Nien, Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin and Leo Hjelde. Sunderland started last night's game with Jenson Seelt partnering Dan Ballard at centre-half, with Niall Huggins forced to slot in as an emergency left-back. Once Reinildo is fully established in the first-team group, he will be another option on the left of the back four, but Sunderland's second-half selection of Jenson Jones, Tom Lavery, Zak Johnson and Harrison Jones underlines the extent to which defensive reinforcements are needed. 'It's clear that we need to reinforce the squad, but it's always two points of view,' said Le Bris. 'Now, here in Portugal, we are working on the players we have and on the other side we have a strong staff to work on the recruitment. Both are combining at the same time now. 'I'm really happy with the team spirit. My brain has always been the two parts of the club, coaching and recruitment. I think we are doing well. 'The market is always tough, we are not the only club who wants to reinforce the squad to have the most competitive squad for the Premier league. So. we have to take time, and rushing is not a good option. At the same time, we know we have to be ready [for the start of the season].'
New York Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Leeds looking at other midfield options with Sean Longstaff deal in doubt
Leeds United are looking at other midfield options with their move for Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff appearing to be in doubt. The Athletic first reported United's interest in Longstaff on June 10 and then broke news of a third bid for him on July 7. The latest offer was at £10million plus £2million in add-ons, but the West Yorkshire club are not optimistic the deal will progress. Advertisement Longstaff is keen on a move to Elland Road and Monday's report stated personal terms were in place for the 27-year-old. Had Newcastle accepted the bid, the move was expected to be a formality. Leeds are known to be interested in TSG Hoffenheim's giant midfielder Anton Stach too, while Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki were also shortlisted before Sunderland bought them both in this window. Having racked up 171 Premier League appearances over the past seven years, Longstaff's top-flight experience appeals to newly-promoted Leeds. He has predominantly been used as a central midfielder by Newcastle, with some variation between defensive and attacking duties. Last season, Newcastle triggered a one-year extension on the player's contract to keep him at the club until June 2026.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sunderland sign ex-Atletico defender Reinildo
Sunderland have signed ex-Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo Mandava on a two-year deal. The 31-year-old, known simply as Reinildo, was out of contract from the Spanish club at the conclusion of their recent Club World Cup campaign. He signed for Atletico from Lille in 2022 and made 99 appearances. "It is a dream come true because it has always been my ambition to play in the Premier League - and I can't wait to play for an historic club like Sunderland," said the Mozambique international. "I'm excited to meet the team, to fight, and to give everything for the club. I want to help, to give power to my team-mates, and transmit my experience in the dressing room. "Above all else, I want to make people happy and I will give everything to make that happen."Reinildo is Sunderland's fourth signing of the summer as they prepare for their first season back in the Premier League since Noah Sadiki has signed from Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Enzo le Fee, who spent the second half of last season on loan from Roma, has joined on a permanent deal, while Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra arrived in a reported club record £30m deal from Strasbourg.
New York Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Sunderland sign left-back Reinildo following Atletico Madrid departure
Sunderland have signed left-back Reinildo on a free transfer following his departure from Atletico Madrid. The 31-year-old left the Metropolitano after making 103 appearances over four seasons for Atletico, 30 of which came in the 2024-25 season as his side finished third in La Liga and reached the last 16 of the Champions League. A Mozambique international, Reinildo primarily featured at left-back for Atletico but also appeared in the left centre-back role, as well as left midfield. He regularly figures in the middle of defence for his country. Welcome to Sunderland AFC, Reinildo Mandava ❤️🇲🇿 — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 8, 2025 Reinildo joined Benfica B in 2016 and departed for fellow Portuguese side B-SAD two years later without making a first-team appearance. The full-back then joined Lille in July 2019, and played 35 times as his side beat Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title by a single point in the 2020-21 campaign. He made 87 appearances over two-and-a-half years for Lille before joining Atletico in January 2022. Advertisement Reinildo becomes Sunderland's third new arrival since their promotion to the Premier League, following the signings of Noah Sadiki from Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise and Habib Diarra from Strasbourg. They also secured the permanent arrival of Enzo Le Fee from Roma after his loan spell at the club last season. Following their 2-1 Championship play-off final victory over Sheffield United, Sunderland lost midfielder Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund for a fee of up to €38million (£32m; $43.3m), while 18-year-old Tommy Watson also departed for Brighton & Hove Albion. (Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia)
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sunderland sign Sadiki from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
Sunderland have signed DR Congo midfielder Noah Sadiki from Belgian side Royale Union 20-year-old has signed a five-year contract and joins for a reported fee of £ made 108 appearances for Union since joining from Anderlecht in 2023 and helped the club win the Belgian title last Brussels-born midfielder, who can also play in defence, represented Belgium at youth level but switched allegiance to DR Congo and made his senior international debut in 2024."I want to thank everyone for welcoming me to Sunderland," said Sadiki. "This is a huge club, but what convinced me was speaking to the people. They spoke about the history, what they want to build, and their belief in the part that I can play."Sadiki is Sunderland's third signing of the summer as they prepare for their first season back in the Premier League since Enzo le Fee, who spent the second half of last season on loan from Roma, has signed a permanent deal, while Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra arrived in a reported club record £30m deal from Strasbourg.
