Sunderland have made a loan approach for Tottenham Hotspur defender Kevin Danso as they aim to strengthen their backline before the transfer deadline. The 27-year-old Austria international is a familiar target for Sunderland's director of football, Florent Ghisolfi, who has now tried to sign him for a third time, according to a report in the Sunderland Echo.
Ghisolfi's long-standing interest in Danso dates back to his time as sporting director at Lens. He secured the defender's signature from Augsburg in August 2021 for a fee reported by L'Equipe to be around €5 million. Ghisolfi described the Austrian as Lens' 'absolute priority', highlighting his physical attributes, tactical understanding and ability to operate in more than one defensive role. Danso went on to make 128 appearances for the French club, playing a key part in their second-place Ligue 1 finish and qualification for the Champions League.
Why did Kevin Danso's Roma move collapse?
When Ghisolfi moved to Roma as technical director in May 2024, one of his first actions was another attempt to sign Danso. An agreement was struck with Lens for an initial loan with an obligation to buy, a package that could have reached €26 million. However, the transfer collapsed at the medical stage. Mandatory Italian fitness examinations reportedly raised concerns over Danso's heart, a conclusion Lens publicly questioned. In response, the player underwent extensive specialist tests at the Cleveland Clinic London in October 2024. Those tests found no heart muscle scarring or electrical abnormalities likely to cause dangerous arrhythmias, and he was cleared to return to competitive football.
How did Kevin Danso end up at Tottenham?
With the Roma move off, Danso remained at Lens until this past February. Tottenham Hotspur then stepped in, signing the defender on a loan deal that included an obligation to buy. The permanent transfer fee was set at €25 million, and Danso agreed a long-term contract with the North London club. His arrival at Spurs was seen as a major coup, adding a proven, versatile defender to their squad.
What does this mean for Sunderland's defence?
Sunderland's current defensive needs are clear. The club sits 15th in the Premier League after one game, having conceded two goals in an opening day defeat. With a goal difference of minus one and key attacker S. Adingra currently sidelined, shoring up the back line is a clear priority. The pursuit of Danso, even on a temporary basis, signals an ambition to add top-level experience. You can track the team's defensive record on our stats page.
What happens next for Sunderland?
As of now, there is no agreement for Danso to join Sunderland. Tottenham have rejected the initial loan approach. The Black Cats continue to assess other defensive options ahead of the deadline. Their next challenge is a trip to face Brentford, who are 7th in the table, on September 5th. Securing a positive result there will be important, but the club's focus is split between the pitch and the transfer market. Fans can follow the team's progress and league position on our standings and fixtures pages.
