Transfer Rumours The Sunderland Links/Transfer Rumours Thread - Summer 2025

Mahdi Camara continues to attract attention across the Channel. The Stade Brestois midfielder, voted best player of the season by Brest supporters, has been given a release by his management for this summer, and several English clubs have already inquired about the former Saint-Etienne player. Among them, Leeds United and Sunderland seem particularly interested in the profile of this 27-year-old box-to-box player, under contract until 2027.

The Martigues native had an exceptional season in Brittany, participating in 34 Ligue 1 matches and shining during SB29's fine European run with ten appearances in the Champions League. His statistics speak for themselves: six goals and five assists in all competitions, confirming his status as a pillar of the Brest midfield.

Trained at Saint-Étienne, Camara left Les Verts in 2022 after admitting that his departure had "not been an easy decision to make." Having initially arrived on loan at Brest before being permanently transferred for €3 million, he quickly established himself as a key part of Éric Roy's squad. His profile as a defensive midfielder, capable of breaking through the lines and finishing moves, perfectly matches the demands of the Premier League.

"If tomorrow he wants to move up, no problem. But he's under contract, we're not throwing him out," Brest sporting director Grégory Lorenzi told L'Équipe. The Pirates have not set a "floor price" but hope to recover a sum of around €15 million

 

Fabrizio is the boy like. 24.7 million followers.

It's an incredible amount considering most North East (mag) correspondents struggle to get past 60k.

Football clubs from all over the world queue up to offer him fistfuls of cash to pass along genuine information.

It's no wonder the likes of Fishpaste and Luke Edwards have tried to pick fights with him over the years.

Fab's response? He didn't even notice

 

Elliot looks to be off but I reckon he'll go to a top 20 premier league side.... like Brentford or Bournemouth.

 

Hey we're top 20!

 

FFS I meant top 10

 

Way too much for us I'd say. Plus the huge wages implied.

 

What does KLD have to gain from announcing we're "in talks" with a player. No mention of fee agreed, deal done etc. so all it does is bring it to the attention of other clubs. More likely leaked by his agent imo.

 

Yes absolutely. Nothing in it for us.

 

I think it's important to differentiate though. I'd argue that Romano isn't really a journalist anymore as he's not an independent reporter. He's now part of the transfer story himself and is used as such by clubs.

I have no doubt that he gets a lot of information and it will be mostly very accurate. I'm also sure that he puts out a side to the story that one party wants you to see as well.

 

Imo Romano gets all his info from KLD or someone high up at the club. He only ever posts stuff about us that is concrete.

 

So a possibility for the January transfer window then?

 

It doesn't mean its not true. Its almost certainly true. But there's no way we leaked it. Will have come from the agent or Nice. Why on earth would we want the world to know we're in negotiations with a player that other clubs are after.

 

If you have a quick search of Romanos tweets about us they're all true.

From Michut to Watson to Clarke to Wicky not coming

 

Yes they are 100% true, but being true doesn't always mean they've been leaked by KLD.

This one will have been leaked by Nice or the player's agent. There is no way, not a single chance, KLD decided to pick up the phone and let the world know we were trying to sign an in demand player, before it had leaked anywhere else.

Now, Romano may have had it leaked to him by the agent or other club and then texted KLD to verify it. That's very plausible. But there's not a single chance the leak was initiated by us.

 

If the players agent leaks to Romano that we're in talks, do you think he keeps it in his pocket?

I'm not saying he doesn't get info from KLD, but that doesn't mean the other side doesn't leak info to him.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if it was further along than in talks and he's just getting the exclusive

 

you may well be right. really need that next "here we go" tweet!!

 

I’ve always had the feeling that RLB didn’t fancy over fifty games and quickly swerved the cup games ..,

… the lack of preparation clearly annoyed him and I’m hoping he benefits this season.

He seems to relish the tactical aspect and gave up those half dozen games to concentrate on the playoffs. It’ll be interesting to see how he approaches games now the coaches have more time.

I don’t think he’d relish another Championship season tbh.

 

OH YES