Colombian reports claim Sunderland winger Ian Poveda has agreed a move away from the Stadium of Light after falling out of first-team contention under Régis Le Bris
Sunderland winger Ian Poveda is reportedly closing in on a move away from the Stadium of Light after reaching an agreement with Colombian side Inter Bogotá.
According to Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra, the 26-year-old has agreed terms following what has been described as a strong push from the club’s hierarchy. While several Colombian teams were credited with an interest in the wide player, Inter Bogotá are understood to have acted decisively to secure an agreement.
At this stage, the structure of the proposed deal remains unclear. There has been no confirmation over whether Sunderland would sanction a permanent transfer or a loan, nor have any financial details emerged. Poveda remains under contract on Wearside until 2027, having signed a three-year deal with the option of a further year when he joined the club in the summer of 2024 following his release from Leeds United.
The latest reports follow a difficult and largely frustrating period for Poveda at Sunderland. Earlier in the season, outlets in Colombia claimed that his lengthy absence from the first-team picture was not injury-related, but instead a consequence of head coach Régis Le Bris’ selection decisions.
At the time, it was suggested Sunderland could look to move him on during a transfer window, though there was no concrete indication of firm interest. Nonetheless, the direction of travel appeared clear. Poveda struggled to establish himself as a regular option and found minutes increasingly limited as Le Bris shaped the squad in his own image.
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The winger arrived on Wearside with pedigree, having progressed through youth systems at Manchester City and Barcelona earlier in his career, and with experience in English football across spells at Leeds United, Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday. However, he was unable to secure sustained involvement in Sunderland’s attacking plans.
With competition for wide positions intense and Sunderland evolving tactically under Le Bris combined with injury issues, Poveda slipped down the pecking order. Being on the fringes of the matchday squad for extended periods inevitably cast doubt over his long-term future, despite the length of his contract. The situation then worsened after Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League.
If the reported agreement with Inter Bogotá is completed, it would represent a clean break for all parties. From Sunderland’s perspective, moving on a player who is not central to the head coach’s plans would provide clarity and potentially free up space within the squad. For Poveda, a return to Colombia could offer the opportunity for regular football and a fresh start in a different environment. For now, the move remains subject to official confirmation. But according to reports in Colombia, an agreement is in place - and Poveda’s time at the Stadium of Light appears to be drawing to a close.
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