Sunderland signing Arthur Masuaku could put Dennis Cirkin’s future in doubt amid Tottenham interest
Tottenham Hotspur need to get moving in the transfer market if the club wants to build on the Europa League success next season. There is still time for chairman Daniel Levy to bring in some quality players if the North London club ups their ante in the coming weeks.
There is a clear need for Spurs to bring in a creative midfielder owing to James Maddison’s serious knee injury. The England international has been ruled out for at least six to seven months following an ACL rupture sustained in the 1-1 friendly draw with Newcastle United in Seoul last week. Also, Thomas Frank must sort out a replacement for Son Heung-min, who has ended his decade-long stay at White Hart Lane and joined Los Angeles FC earlier this week.
Losing Son and Maddison- two vital players- are big blows for the Danish tactician heading into his maiden campaign at Tottenham. Additionally, he could look to improve the defensive options too, especially the left-back unit.
Destiny Udogie has been Tottenham’s undisputed first-choice left-back over the last two seasons. However, the Italian has struggled with thigh issues and is also currently sidelined. An unknown injury has seen him miss out on the recent pre-season friendlies, forcing Thomas Frank to use Djed Spence and Ben Davies at left-back.
Will Tottenham be successful in signing Dennis Cirkin?
Sunderland close to signing Arthur Masuaku
Reports from earlier this summer spoke of Tottenham’s interest in signing Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin.
The 23-year-old spent many years in the Tottenham academy before moving to Sunderland in 2021. He played a key role in the Black Cats’ promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs earlier this summer, making five goal contributions in 39 Championship outings.
As expected, Sunderland are busy bolstering their squad with several high-profile signings ahead of their return to the top flight after so many years. They have smashed their transfer record to bring in Habib Diarra from Strasbourg, while former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka has arrived at the Stadium of Light. And the Black Cats are seemingly in no mood of stopping.
According to respected journalist Fabrizio Romano on X, Sunderland are close to capturing former West Ham United left-back Arthur Masuaku. He is set to sign a two-year contract with the newly-promoted Premier League side.
https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1953794459121889656
With the Wearside club already having signed left-back Reinildo Mandava earlier this summer, Masuaku’s arrival should ideally make Dennis Cirkin the third-choice left-back. It presents a dilemma for the 23-year-old that he would have not expected to face back in May when he helped Regis Le Bris’ side achieve promotion at the Wembley Stadium.
Tottenham get boost to sign Dennis Cirkin
But, as far as Spurs are concerned, it does give them a boost to bring back their former academy talent. The Lilywhites had previously considered re-signing Cirkin due to their need for more club-trained players to comply with UEFA’s squad rules after qualifying for the Champions League this season.
Being club-trained and now at crossroads in his Sunderland career, convincing the Dublin native to join Frank’s forces would not be difficult for the Hotspur Way chiefs. As there is no timescale for Udogie’s return from injury, Cirkin would be a welcome addition to Spurs’ left-back position. At 23, he is still far away from entering his prime and should represent a long-term addition to the squad.