Romaine Mundle: The Tug-of-War Between Sunderland Stability and Rangers Ambition
The January 2026 transfer window has reached its boiling point, and in the North East of England, a familiar name is dominating the headlines. Romaine Mundle, the 22-year-old dynamic winger who helped fire Sunderland back into the Premier League, is currently the subject of an intense transfer tug-of-war.
As of January 14, 2026, Sunderland have officially clarified their stance following formal enquiries from Scottish giants Rangers. While the allure of Ibrox is strong, the Black Cats are digging in their heels.
1. The Current State of Play: Sunderland Says “No”
Despite a flurry of reports suggesting a loan move was imminent, the latest word from the Stadium of Light is one of defiance. Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris has signaled that the club intends to keep Mundle for the remainder of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
The “Key Figure” Argument
While Mundle has found his starts limited this season—largely due to a grueling hamstring injury suffered in the summer—Le Bris still views the London-born winger as a vital component of his squad. Sunderland currently sit 10th in the Premier League, a remarkable position for a newly promoted side, but the manager is wary of thinning his squad depth.
”Losing Mundle would leave us short on the flanks,” a source close to the club revealed. “In the Premier League, you are always one injury away from a crisis. Romaine is a player who can change a game from the bench, and that is a luxury the club isn’t ready to give up.”
2. The Danny Röhl Connection: Why Rangers Are Pushing
The interest from Rangers is not a random scouting pick. It is deeply personal for their manager, Danny Röhl.
Röhl, who has performed a minor miracle in Glasgow by dragging Rangers to within three points of league leaders Hearts, is a long-term admirer of both Mundle and his teammate Dan Neil. Having faced them numerous times during his tenure at Sheffield Wednesday, Röhl knows exactly what Mundle brings to the table:
- Directness: The ability to take on full-backs in 1v1 situations.
- Versatility: Capable of playing on either wing or as a makeshift #10.
- Big-Game Temperament: Mundle was a standout performer in Sunderland’s Championship Play-Off Final win in May 2025.
Rangers are currently navigating an injury crisis of their own. With Connor Barron and Dujon Sterling sidelined long-term, Röhl views Mundle as the “explosive” piece needed to secure a record 56th Premiership title.
3. Mundle’s Season: A Frustrating Road to Recovery
To understand why this saga is happening now, one has to look at Mundle’s 2025/26 statistics. It has been a season of “what ifs” for the former Tottenham youngster.