Sunderland have been credited with an interest in Lecce talent Antonino Gallo.
Sunderland and Celtic have both been linked with a potential swoop for Lecce full-back Antonino Gallo, with the club’s sporting director having previously admitted that the player was “eager” to explore the possibility of an exit not that long ago.
According to online outlet Football Insider, the 26-year-old, who has been in eye-catching form for his Italian employers this season, is understood to be on the radars of several European clubs, with the Black Cats and the Bhoys among those supposedly interested in striking a deal.
The Black Cats are said to be considering Gallo as a replacement for Arthur Masuaku, who joined RC Lens on loan this week - although it is worth emphasising that Regis Le Bris does still have both Reinildo Mandava and Dennis Cirkin as recognised senior options at left-back. Elsewhere, Trai Hume has operated on the left-side of defence at times this season, while both Lutsharel Geertruida and Luke O’Nien could also provide additional cover in that area of the pitch if required.
For their part, Scottish champions Celtic, now under the management of former Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill, are said to be in the market for cover for Kieran Tierney due to Marcelo Saracchi’s injury-blighted loan stint in Glasgow.
Reports in Italy have suggested that Gallo is valued at around £3.5 million, and that Lecce will look to extend his contract - which is due to expire this summer - by an extra year before making a decision on his future at the end of the current campaign.
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Predominantly a left-sided full-back, Gallo signed for the Italian outfit from Virtus Francavilla in 2020, and has established himself as a key figure for his current employers in recent years. At the time of writing, he has 175 first team appearances to his name, scoring one goal and contributing 10 assists across all competitions.
But this is not the first time that he has found himself at the centre of apparent transfer interest. Back in 2024, the defender emerged as a target for Serie A giants AS Roma, and speaking in October of that year, Lecce chief Stefano Trinchera not only confirmed that the rumours were true, but that Gallo was open to prospect of an exit too.
What did Lecce sporting director Stefano Trinchera say about reported Sunderland and Celtic transfer target Antonino Gallo?
Speaking at the Palermo Football Conference, as quoted by continental outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, the sporting director said: “Gallo is showing great things. He was in the sights of Roma. There has never been a direct negotiation with them, but the Giallorossi thought about him. The player seemed eager about this possibility. Then other choices were made and he stayed at Lecce where he is happy and remains an important player for us.”
As things currently stand, Lecce find themselves 17th in the Italian top flight table, just one point clear of the relegation zone after 22 matches.
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