Dennis Cirkin to Leeds United transfer assessed as high-flying Sunderland chase promotion

Reports that Leeds United are interested in Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin have prompted Carlton Palmer to pour cold water on the idea.

The pundit and former England international midfielder believes the Black Cats won’t sanction a deal to Championship rivals, insisting: "There’s one thing that’s not going to happen, they’re not going to sell him to Leeds United.”

Having developed a young, high-potential squad at a largely low cost, Sunderland will expect transfer interest in their exciting talent. That includes Cirkin, 22, whose performances this season have thrust him into the transfer spotlight.

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Palmer believes it’s extremely unlikely that Sunderland will sell such an important player to a promotion rival mid-season. Speaking to Football League World, he said: “I know that this has come about with the situation that his contract expires in 2026, and so that’s alerting clubs to the fact he hasn’t renewed his deal yet at Sunderland.

“He’s been a standout performer for Sunderland this season, which inevitably leads to transfer talk. And then after that, he’s been limited with injuries, last season he only played eight games. But this season, he’s played in every single league game so far and has been outstanding, his performance against Coventry City recently where he scored a brilliant solo effort reminded everyone of how good a player he is.

“The contract situation was that Tottenham did have a buy-back clause at £6 million, that expired in the summer of 2024 but they do have a sell-on clause for him. As I said, he’s under contract until 2026.

“The chief executive at Sunderland [Kristjaan Speakman] has said they’re in the process of negotiations, they managed to get [Daniel] Ballard, Jobe [Bellingham] and Chris Rigg all committed to the club, as young players you want to be playing football, they’re enjoying their football at Sunderland. At 22, he’s a talent and they’re going well.

“There’s one thing that’s not going to happen, they’re not going to sell him to Leeds United. That’s for sure. Sunderland are top of the league and Leeds are vying to get promotion, he won’t be sold and I would be very, very surprised if he doesn’t commit his future to Sunderland in the coming weeks and months.

“Sunderland are flying at the moment and as they’ve stated, they’re not looking to get rid of players, they’re looking to add to the squad to increase their chances of getting promotion.”