Sunderland are bracing themselves for a major blow as one of their most unexpected standout performers is now set to leave the Stadium of Light — and sooner than anyone anticipated.
Sources indicate the Black Cats have agreed terms for the player’s exit, only for the situation to take a dramatic twist after Celtic swooped in and hijacked the deal at the final moment. What looked like a routine move has now exploded into a full-blown transfer saga.
The player, who has quietly become a key figure in Sunderland’s setup, is understood to be on the verge of completing his departure, with talks accelerating rapidly behind the scenes. Celtic’s late intervention has changed everything, leaving Sunderland little room to maneuver.
With the exit now described as “a matter of time”, questions are already being asked about how the Black Cats allowed such a pivotal figure to slip away — and what this means for their season ambitions.
The fallout from the hijacked deal is already being felt inside the Stadium of Light.
Behind closed doors, Sunderland’s hierarchy are said to be frustrated by how swiftly the situation escalated. What was initially viewed as a manageable exit has now turned into a statement move by Celtic, underlining their intent and pulling the rug from under the Black Cats’ plans.
The player himself is believed to be open to the switch, attracted by the promise of European football and a more prominent platform north of the border. That willingness has only accelerated talks, with insiders suggesting the move could be finalised sooner than expected.
For Sunderland, attention is now turning to damage limitation — assessing replacements, reshaping the squad, and preparing fans for the departure of a player few ever imagined would be first out of the door.
