Sunderland eye stunning £1.2m release clause in defender’s contract

Sunderland eye stunning £1.2m release clause in defender’s contract

 

Sunderland have been alerted to a bargain release clause in Millwall defender Japhet Tanganga’s contract as they weigh up a stunning transfer swoop.

 

Tanganga starred for Millwall last season as the Lions made a push for the Championship play-offs, only to fall short.

 

Sunderland had no such problems, comfortably securing their place in the play-offs before going on to seal an incredible promotion back to the Premier League after beating Coventry City in the semi-final and then Sheffield United at Wembley, both in dramatic fashion.

The Black Cats know they will need to strengthen their squad for an assault on the top flight, and have already sealed the permanent signing of Enzo Le Fee in a club record £19million deal.

 

They also have their eyes on bolstering their backline with a move for another loanee, Chris Mepham, mooted. The Welshman’s contract with Bournemouth was set to expire this month but the Cherries have taken up the option to extend it by a further year.

 

However, Tanganga has now been reported as a serious option for Regis Le Bris and Kristjaan Speakman after news of a bargain release clause in his Millwall contract emerged.

 

Tanganga has been at The Den for the past year and a half, initially joining on loan before finalising a free transfer last summer when his contract with Tottenham came to an end.

 

And it has emerged that a £1.2m release clause – available to all Premier League clubs this summer – was part of the deal that brought him to Millwall.

 

Sunderland are one of four top-tier team believed to be in the running to clinch a deal at a bargain price. Fellow promoted clubs Leeds United and Burnley also have a solid interest in Tanganga and would be prepared to move forward once the player makes his preference known.

 

However, the three sides face serious competition from established Premier League side Crystal Palace, who are considering Tanganga as a replacement for captain Marc Guehi, should the England defender leave the club this summer.

 

Millwall received offers for Tanganga in January – some significantly higher than the £1.2m quoted – but they chose to retain their star defender for a doomed play-offs push, reports the Express.

 

Now, they could lose him for a surprisingly small fee, and it is understood that Tanganga would like his future sorted by the end of the month.

 

The 26-year-old was named as Millwall’s player of the season after a string of superb displays. The centre-back can also operate at right-back and made 43 appearances in the campaign just ended, scoring twice.

 

The England U21 international made 27 appearances for Spurs before being released in 2024.

 

Sunderland have already brought in around £40m in sales this summer after Jobe Bellingham joined Borussia Dortmund and Tommy Watson completed his move to Brighton.

Read more on;https://www.sportupdates.co.uk