(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Sat 25 April 2026 10:00, UK

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Tottenham Hotspur must be ready to explore the possibility of a move for Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin on a free transfer this summer.

The former Spurs academy graduate is facing a hugely uncertain future at the Stadium of Light, and appears set to be on the hunt for a new club this summer.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side will still be hopeful of securing their Premier League status at the end of the season, but it would be silly for them to not begin making contingency plans for the Championship.

Cirkin played a starring role for the Black Cats in their promotion from the second tier last term, and established himself as one of the division’s best full-backs with some impressive displays.

Regular gametime has deserted the 24-year-old in the Premier League this season, and the latest noises from Sunderland should be enough for him to feature in Tottenham’s summer transfer plans.

Regis Le Bris hints at Dennis Cirkin departure as Tottenham may reignite interest

Tottenham were heavily linked with a move for Cirkin last summer, as they explored potential options to boost the number of home-grown players in their squad for Champions League registration.

Their need could be very different this time around if they are relegated, and a drop into the Championship would almost inevitably bring a huge turnover in their squad.

The Lilywhites would need to add fresh faces with proven quality at that level, who also know what it takes to secure promotion back to the Premier League, and Cirkin is somebody who ticks both of those boxes.

Regis Le Bris admitted on Thursday that he doesn’t know where the defender’s future lies ahead of his contract expiring this summer, as he added that it is “important” that he and his team “stay focused on the league.”

Cirkin may not have had much of a chance to impress in the Premier League this term, but he shone in his last Championship campaign, and there will surely be no shortage of suitors for him this summer if he does leave Sunderland.

He is a player who knows Tottenham and cares about the club, and if they do fall into the Championship for next season, then he could prove to be a shrewd acquisition for them.

Tottenham’s need for a new left-back is clear

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider back in March that Manchester City have already held internal conversations about a possible move for Destiny Udogie this summer.

The Italian has been heavily linked with a move away from North London in several of the recent transfer windows, but this could finally be the one where he moves on, after two consecutive woeful league campaigns.

Spurs currently have Djed Spence as cover, but with his England aspirations clear to see, it would be a huge surprise if he were willing to play Championship football next term.

The left side of defence is an area that De Zerbi and Co. will need to strengthen regardless of which league the team end up in, and they could do far worse than a move for Cirkin.