Former Atletico star 'set to join' Black Cats

TRANSFER expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed former Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo Mandava is set to join Sunderland on a free transfer

- By CLIVE YOULTON Football writer

The Black Cats have reportedly agreed a deal, with the 31-year-old set to become the club's latest summer signing.

Romano declared the move was close to completion on Sunday by stating: “Reinildo to Sunderland, here we go! Two-year deal done for the left-back set to join from Atletico Madrid.”

Mandava will join following the expiry of his contract with the La Liga side, where he made 74 appearances across all competitions after arriving from Lille in 2022.

He fell down the pecking order in Madrid and will now bring valuable experience to a Sunderland squad being rebuilt for Premier League football.

Romano also noted that after investing heavily in 21-year-old midfielder Habib Diarra, who is reportedly set to join in a club-record £30m deal, Sunderland are now looking to strike the right balance between youth and experience.

Described as part of an “ambitious project,” the arrival of Mandava would signal another decisive move under owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, head coach Regis Le Bris, and incoming director of football Florent Ghisolfi.