Sunderland have already tried to sign Kevin Danso on loan and now have fresh hope after the Tottenham defender asked to leave
Sunderland have been handed fresh encouragement over Kevin Danso after Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi confirmed the defender has asked to leave the club before Tuesday night’s transfer deadline.
The Black Cats have already attempted to sign the 27-year-old Austria international on loan, only for Tottenham to reject the approach. Sunderland remain keen to add another defender before the window shuts and Danso is one of the options explored by sporting director Florent Ghisolfi.
His position has now changed significantly, with De Zerbi revealing after Tottenham’s defeat that Danso has personally asked to leave. Richarlison and Pape Matar Sarr are in similar positions, although the Spurs boss made clear that any player wanting out must help find a deal that works financially for the club.
Asked about the trio, De Zerbi said: "Richarlison, I don't know. He said too many times he wants to leave. Danso came to me two days ago and he said wants to leave and Pape Sarr the same, but he suffered a small injury, but he is almost ready to train. I have very good relationships but if they want to leave, they have to bring the solution, the economic solution, to the club, and they can go."
For Sunderland, the key line is Danso’s desire to move on. Tottenham’s first response to the Black Cats was negative, and there is no indication yet that they have changed their stance on a loan, but the player pushing for an exit gives the situation a different complexion.
Tottenham are also involved in several potential deals heading into the final days of the window. They are in advanced talks with Everton over Iliman Ndiaye, while Richarlison could return to Merseyside in a separate transfer after making clear his desire to leave north London.
Everton are also working on a loan move for Jack Grealish from Manchester City, while Tottenham have monitored other attacking options. The activity could create further movement across De Zerbi’s squad before the deadline, although Sunderland’s focus is firmly on whether Danso becomes available on acceptable terms.
Spurs paid around £21million to sign Danso permanently from Lens after initially bringing him to the club on loan in February 2025. The centre-back is also well known to Ghisolfi, who tried to take him to Roma before that move collapsed.
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That previous interest helps explain why Sunderland have returned to Danso now. The club want another defensive option as they prepare to balance Premier League football with a Europa League campaign, but they are assessing several possibilities and will not rely on Tottenham softening their position.
Danso is therefore one to watch rather than an advanced Sunderland deal. What has changed is his own stance, and De Zerbi’s public admission has opened the door to a departure if Tottenham receive what they consider the right financial solution. With Sunderland having already tested Tottenham’s resolve, any late change in the London club’s position could quickly bring the Black Cats back into the conversation again.
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