Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin has emerged as a transfer target for Leeds United ahead of the January window, and we have spoken to Sunderland expert about his possible arrival.
Junior Firpo’s future at Leeds remains under a cloud with the left-back out of contract at the end of the season. The Dominican Republic star is currently suspended, with Firpo serving one of his three games.
Graeme Bailey told LeedsUnited.News that Firpo will only sign a new Leeds deal if Daniel Farke gets the Whites promoted. It leaves Leeds needing a left-back and Dennis Cirkin is the latest on Leeds’ radar.
Sunderland expert gives lowdown on Leeds target Dennis Cirkin
The 22-year-old has starred for Sunderland ever since leaving Tottenham for the Stadium of Light. He left Tottenham for Sunderland and helped them gain promotion to League One, a regular for them ever since.
Speaking to Sunderland AFC News writer Luke Phelps, we got the lowdown on the type of player Cirkin is: “Cirkin epitomises the ‘modern full-back’. Great going forward but more importantly, sound defensively.
“He ranks in the top three for players tackled in the Championship this season and top for tackles made in the defensive third too. I do think Cirkin is among the best left-backs in the League, if not the best.”
Dennis Cirkin’s contract situation at Sunderland, as things stand
Sunderland have made Cirkin’s contract situation a priority, but the left-back’s current deal expires in the summer of 2026. Phelps believes Sunderland will hand him a deal, but no noise is being made right now.
“Cirkin is under contract until 2026. There’s no news of a possible new contract being on the horizon, but Sunderland do have a habit of offering players new deals long before their current ones exist,” he said.
“And with Sunderland doing so well, and Cirkin doing so well, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to me if he jumped at a new contract offer. I don’t think Leeds stand much of a chance of signing Cirkin in January.”
How much would Leeds have to spend to sign Dennis Cirkin?
Tottenham have a clause in Cirkin’s contract that includes a sell-on clause, meaning Sunderland will want the biggest price available given a percentage will go to Spurs. Phelps thinks he could cost £15m-£20m.
“Sunderland want to keep their squad intact past January in their bid for promotion, and selling a key player makes no sense. If Leeds are promoted and Sunderland aren’t, it becomes a lot more probable.
Dennis Cirkin and Junior Firpo’s Championship stats combined
| Club | Championship Games | Goals | Assists | Wins | Clean sheets | |
| Dennis Cirkin | Sunderland | 51 | 7 | 3 | 24 | 20 |
| Junior Firpo | Leeds | 39 | 1 | 10 | 25 | 19 |
“It would be especially so if Cirkin doesn’t sign a new contract before then as he’d be entering the last year of his deal. Sunderland seem to have a benchmark of around £20m for their in-demand players.
“In a season or two, £20m would be the minimum for Cirkin. Say if Leeds were to go for him in January, I think £15m would get it done,” Phelps continued, when discussing a possible Elland Road move for Cirkin.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
