Leeds United have struggled to find stability at left-back for as long as fans can remember. Gianni Alioski brought plenty of excitement but lacked consistency, while Junior Firpo has shown flashes of improvement recently. Still, the left-back position continues to be a persistent headache for Leeds.
Could Dennis Cirkin be the answer to Leeds United’s left-back woes? The Mirror reports that Leeds are eyeing the Sunderland star for a potential January move, hoping to tempt the Black Cats into a sale despite Cirkin’s contract running until 2026. Former Sunderland hero Don Goodman has no doubt that Cirkin would be a stellar fit in Daniel Farke’s squad. However, with Sunderland pushing for promotion, Goodman finds it hard to imagine them parting with such a key player midway through the season to a direct rival.
Don Goodman is confident that Sunderland won’t let Dennis Cirkin join Leeds United, especially given their current position. Speaking to Football League World, Goodman stated, “I would love to think that there is no way Sunderland would allow Dennis Cirkin to leave in their current situation, especially to Leeds!” He went on to praise Cirkin as “one of the best left-backs in the Championship,” noting his recent standout performance with a brilliant goal against Coventry. While he acknowledged Cirkin would be a fantastic addition to Leeds, Goodman remains doubtful that a move will materialize.
After selling Jack Clarke in the summer, Sunderland fans would be up in arms if the club let another young star, like Dennis Cirkin, leave. While Sunderland made a hefty profit from Clarke’s £15 million move to Ipswich Town—fairly inevitable given his standout 2023/24 season—it’s unlikely the club would entertain a similar sale unless a Premier League club came forward with a significant offer for Cirkin. For now, though, with Premier League interest limited and only second-tier clubs circling, Cirkin’s future seems to remain at Sunderland for the medium term.
Carlton Palmer believes Dennis Cirkin is likely to stay at Sunderland and sign a new contract, especially given the club’s strong start under Regis Le Bris. Speaking to Football League World, Palmer acknowledged that Cirkin’s current contract situation has caught the attention of other clubs, but he believes the young left-back is committed to Sunderland for the time being. “He’s been a standout performer for Sunderland this season… his brilliant solo goal against Coventry was a reminder of how good a player he is,” Palmer said. With Cirkin playing every league game and impressing, Palmer feels he’ll be keen to continue his development at Sunderland.
Carlton Palmer is certain that Sunderland will not sell Dennis Cirkin to Leeds United. Speaking about the situation, Palmer said, “There’s one thing that’s not going to happen—they are not going to sell him to Leeds United. That’s for sure.” With Sunderland sitting atop the league and Leeds fighting for promotion, Palmer believes Cirkin will stay put. He added, “I would be very, very surprised if he doesn’t commit his future to Sunderland in the coming weeks and months.”