AliousSunderland Make Bold Move for Champions League Veteran as Reinildo Emerges as Target
Sunderland have officially entered the race to sign Reinildo Mandava, the seasoned Atletico Madrid defender with 25 UEFA Champions League appearances, according to transfer insider Ben Jacobs.
Following their promotion to the Premier League and the record-breaking £32 million sale of Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund, Sunderland are now expected to be active in the summer transfer window. Although Bellingham’s departure is a blow — after a standout season featuring 43 appearances — it has freed up significant financial flexibility for manager Régis Le Bris to reinforce his squad.
While attention has turned to filling the midfield gap left by Bellingham — with Wolves’ Tommy Doyle reportedly on the radar — Sunderland’s recruitment drive also extends to bolstering their defence, particularly at left-back. Earlier links to Aston Villa’s Alex Moreno have now been followed by an approach for Reinildo, whose time at Atletico Madrid appears to be winding down.
Jacobs reports that Sunderland are one of several clubs, including Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, and multiple sides from Turkey and Saudi Arabia, that have made enquiries about the 31-year-old Mozambique international. With his contract set to expire following the Club World Cup, and a weekly wage of around £13,000, a deal could be financially feasible for Sunderland — particularly if he’s available on a free transfer.
Reinildo, once labelled a “talented” prospect by football analyst Zach Lowy, has seen his playing time diminish at Atletico, having been an unused substitute in all league matches since late March. At this stage in his career, he is seeking regular minutes, which could make Sunderland’s Premier League return a highly appealing proposition.
The defender’s experience at the elite level — including his Champions League pedigree and a Ligue 1 title win with Lille — adds value and maturity to a young Sunderland side aiming to establish themselves in the top flight. However, questions remain about his current form and long-term fitness, especially given Atletico’s willingness to let his contract expire without renewal.
If Reinildo does join Sunderland, he would bring grit, experience, and defensive reliability — potentially becoming a key figure in their Premier League survival campaign.
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