Leeds United are reportedly setting their sights on Sunderland’s talented left-back, Dennis Cirkin, as a potential transfer target. The young England international has made a name for himself this season, consistently delivering impressive performances for the Black Cats under manager Regis Le Bris. Cirkin’s reliability in Sunderland’s starting lineup and his reputation as one of the Championship’s most capable attacking full-backs have caught the attention of the Leeds camp, who see him as a player with significant potential.
Currently, Leeds and Sunderland are closely matched in the Championship standings, separated by just two points, sparking a tense competition for promotion. Given this context, it seems unlikely that Sunderland would consider a January transfer for one of their key players. However, if Leeds were to secure promotion while Sunderland remained in the Championship, the door could open for a potential deal for Cirkin during the summer transfer window.
According to a report from the Sunday Mirror, Leeds is interested in what would be an ambitious move for Cirkin, who has quickly become a fixture in Sunderland’s backline. Since joining Sunderland from Tottenham Hotspur in 2021, Cirkin has accumulated 85 league appearances and cemented his position under Le Bris. He has contributed two goals and an assist this season, but his value goes beyond simple statistics. Cirkin’s strengths lie in his chance creation, defensive reading of the game, and ability to drive forward from the back.
Statistically, Cirkin’s 2024-25 season numbers further underscore his abilities. He creates 0.6 chances, completes 0.93 successful dribbles, and has 2.33 touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes. His defensive stats are equally impressive, with 1.8 interceptions and 1.87 tackles won per match. When compared with Leeds’ current left-back, Junior Firpo, who has lower numbers across these metrics, it becomes clear why Leeds view Cirkin as a promising long-term solution.
Nevertheless, prying Cirkin away in January will be challenging, as he is central to Sunderland’s recent success. He has started all 15 of Sunderland’s games this season, contributing significantly to an eight-game unbeaten run. In a recent 2-2 draw with Coventry, Cirkin scored a stunning Goal of the Season contender, dribbling from his own half and firing a powerful strike into the top corner.
Manager Le Bris is likely to resist any mid-season transfers that would weaken his squad, as he also looks to retain promising talents like Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham. Sunderland’s strong run and young talent base give them a solid chance of promotion, which could also help the club fend off interest in players like Cirkin. If Sunderland secures a top spot, the likelihood of retaining their star players will increase, making any potential move for Cirkin by Leeds an even more complex pursuit.
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