Sunderland ‘extremely ambitious’ with Wilfried Singo transfer news – Exclusive
Sunderland are in the hunt for new defenders, and AS Monaco’s Wilfried Singo has been identified as a potential target.
The Black Cats already possess Luke O’Nien and Dan Ballard at centre-back, but lost Chris Mepham, who returned to AFC Bournemouth after his loan expired.
Singo has been linked with a move to the Stadium of Light, and there have been reports of a £20million price tag.
However, there have been conflicting developments regarding the figure that could change Sunderland’s stance on such a deal.
Sunderland told potential Wilfried Singo price tag
Monaco and Sunderland do possess a French connection, with Juan Satori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus providing loose links with the Ligue 1 outfit.
Satori has a 36 per cent share with the Wearsiders, while he also served as vice-president at Monaco to his father-in-law.
While that connection is unlikely to have an impact on the move, France-based journalist Luke Entwistle has addressed the Black Cats’ interest in Singo.
“Singo would be quite expensive,” he exclusively told Mackem News when asked about the potential transfer.
“The season before last, he was the best defender in Ligue 1 by some distance in what was his debut campaign for Monaco.
“If they were going to part ways with him back then, it would have been for about £42million, but I think it will be a bit cheaper than that this time around.
| Statistics | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 25 | 27 |
| Goals | 1 | 1 |
| Assists | 1 | 2 |
| Clean sheets | 9 | 7 |
| Interceptions | 2 | 1.6 |
| Tackles per game | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Accurate passes | 50 (87%) | 45.1 (87%) |
“They’re not obliged to sell by any means, because they’ll probably be selling other players like Akliouche whilst they’re scouring the free agent market, and they also have Champions League football, so they’re not under any obligation to sell.
“If they are selling Singo, it’s going to be very much on their terms. I don’t see him going for under £25-30million.
“It will be more difficult to obtain £42million now because his second season has not been as good as the first, but he’s still an extremely important member of that Monaco defence, and his value should reflect that.
“It would be extremely ambitious for Sunderland to get him, but who knows.
Singo would be statement signing for Black Cats
Given the high praise emerging from France, it sounds like Sunderland would have a talent in their hands in Singo.
Given his success in Ligue 1, he will come at a price, but the North East club are likely to be boosted by Jobe Bellingham’s impending departure.
Ballard has shown his worth, and O’Nien is a warrior, but both have their fitness concerns, meaning the Mackems must sign reinforcements and upgrades.
If Sunderland can get Singo and Mepham through the door, then that would boost their Premier League hopes substantially.