MusaSunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin has once again been linked with a return to former club Tottenham Hotspur after the Black Cats were promoted to the Premier League.
Here we take you through everything that has been said about Cirkin, his current contract situation and Tottenham’s current position:
Do Tottenham have a buyout clause for Dennis Cirkin?
Tottenham Hotspur had a £6m buyout clause for Dennis Cirkin following his move to Sunderland in 2021, but that clause expired on June 30, 2024. Reports have previously suggested that Spurs are considering activating the clause to bring the left-back back to north London.
Although that window is now closed, Tottenham are still entitled to a percentage of the profits if Cirkin is sold on, due to a sell-on clause included in the original deal. Despite growing interest from the Premier League, Cirkin remains under contract at the Stadium of Light until 2026. Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is said to be prioritising a new deal for the 23-year-old defender, alongside talks with club captain Dan Neil, who is also entering the final 12 months of his contract.
What do the latest reports say about Dennis Cirkin and Tottenham transfers?
Cirkin has been linked with a potential return to Spurs as the club look to meet UEFA regulations for their squad ahead of a return to the Champions League. Clubs competing in Europe’s elite competition are required to name at least four “club-qualified” players in their 25-man squads – players who have spent three full seasons with the club, aged between 15 and 21. Tottenham currently have just one.
According to London football journalist Alasdair Gold, Cirkin is seen as a cost-effective option, having come through Spurs’ academy before joining Sunderland. Gold wrote: “Spurs have looked to the past to bring back 23-year-old left-back Dennis Cirkin, who impressed at Sunderland. He has made 39 appearances this season as the Black Cats returned to the Premier League via the play-offs and has 12 months left on his contract.”
Cirkin would meet UEFA’s definition of a club-trained player, adding further appeal as new Spurs boss Thomas Frank rebuilds his squad for European competition. Fellow midfielder Kyle Walker-Peters is also reportedly being considered.
What did Kristjaan Speakman say about Dennis Cirkin’s contract?
Sunderland are expected to resume contract talks with Cirkin and Dan Neil in the coming weeks, after talks broke down during the club’s bid for promotion.
“We do a full squad contract review at the end of every season,” Speakman said recently. “I think we’re in a strong position this time with most of the group, especially a lot of players who have played at a really high level.”
“There’s a couple of guys who are out of contract, we need to talk about that and that’s going to happen in the coming weeks. It’s part of trying to put together a squad for next season. We don’t have anyone out of contract this summer, so it’s not an immediate issue for us. We’ve got some time to think about it. As I’ve always said, it’s the right thing for us.”
Musa
