Sunderland’s rebuild still needs some work, with Lee Cattermole interesting other sides.
Sunderland could be about to lose midfield hardman Lee Cattermole with French Ligue 1 side Bordeaux keen on forming a reunion between the ex-Middlesbrough star and manager Gus Poyet – and Jack Ross must find a quick replacement.
The Northern Echo claim the Black Cats captain is interesting Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, in what would be somewhat of a surprising move with Cattermole hardly impressing in the Championship last season.
But Poyet, who worked with Cattermole during his 18-month stay at the Stadium of Light between October 2013 and March 2015, is looking to land the midfielder and a move back to top-flight football will be hard to turn down.
Ross needs to land a replacement for Cattermole, and his knowledge of Scottish football should convince him to have a look at free agent Youssouf Mulumbu, who starred during his short spell at Kilmarnock.
The 31-year-old joined Kilmarnock and manager Steve Clarke in November 2017, after working with Clarke during the Scottish manager’s time in charge at West Bromwich Albion.
He made 20 appearances and helped Killie go from relegation candidates into the top six – massively overachieving under the guidance of Clarke and the midfield influence of Mulumbu.
The DR Congo cap’s only goal came against champions Celtic, as Killie secured an unlikely 1-0 league win over Brendan Rodgers’ side at Rugby Park. That match was only the second time Celtic have been beaten in the league under Rodgers.
Now a free agent after Killie failed to extend his contract, Ross has surely got to consider a move for the free agent if Cattermole does indeed look to link up with Poyet.
Mulumbu has plenty of Football League experience and his quality, when fit, is enough to push Sunderland from top-six contenders to automatic candidates.
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