STALEMATE AT STADIUM OF LIGHT: Le Bris Breaks Silence on Isidor’s £25m Exit Links and Sunderland’s Deadline Strategy
By 247sportcity | Thursday, January 22, 2026
SUNDERLAND – With only 11 days remaining until the winter transfer window slams shut, the atmosphere at the Academy of Light is one of calculated composure. Despite a whirlwind of speculation surrounding the futures of Sunderland’s most prominent stars, head coach Regis Le Bris has maintained a steady hand, insisting that while the club is “working hard behind the scenes,” they will not be forced into reactive business.
The Black Cats find themselves in a position of relative comfort in the Championship table, a luxury that has allowed them to focus on long-term growth over short-term “panic buys.” However, with Premier League vultures circling for Wilson Isidor, Dan Neil, and Anthony Patterson, the final countdown to February 2nd promises to be a grueling test of the club’s resolve.
The £25m Question: The Wilson Isidor Saga
The most pressing issue on Wearside is the future of French forward Wilson Isidor. Once the undisputed leading man for the Black Cats, Isidor has seen his playing time evaporate following the scintillating form of Brian Brobbey. With Brobbey currently “leading the line” with clinical efficiency, Isidor has found himself relegated to the bench—a situation that has not gone unnoticed by top-flight scouts.
Reports have intensified linking Isidor with a £25 million move to either Everton or Nottingham Forest.1 For a player who has fallen down the pecking order, such a staggering valuation represents a massive crossroads for Sunderland.
Le Bris admitted that the situation is delicate, revealing he has held multiple “clear and open” conversations with the striker and his representatives in recent weeks. While the club is not actively pushing Isidor out the door, the financial windfall of a £25m sale could provide the war chest needed to overhaul other areas of the squad.
[Table: The Sunderland “At Risk” List — Winter 2026]
As the deadline nears, several key pillars of the Sunderland squad are being monitored by clubs across Europe and the UK.
| Player | Linked Club(s) | Estimated Value/Status | Reason for Potential Exit |
| Wilson Isidor | Everton, Nottingham Forest | £25,000,000 | Lack of minutes / Brobbey’s form |
| Dan Neil | Rangers, FC Köln | End of Contract (Summer) | Impending Free Agency |
| Anthony Patterson | Millwall (Loan) | Temporary Move | Pursuit of Jonas Omlin |
| Romaine Mundle | Various | Not For Sale | Club decided to retain until summer |
The Goalkeeper Carousel: Patterson and the Omlin Link
A fascinating subplot is developing between the posts. Sunderland have been heavily linked with a move for Borussia Monchengladbach’s experienced shot-stopper Jonas Omlin.2 Should the Swiss international arrive at the Stadium of Light, it would trigger a domino effect for homegrown hero Anthony Patterson.
Patterson has been linked with a sentimental reunion with former Sunderland boss Alex Neil at Millwall.3 Le Bris was remarkably candid when asked about the possibility of his number one departing on loan.
“It’s tough to speak about individual players but the whole idea is still the same,” Le Bris explained. “For players who need minutes the conversation is still open and if we can find an agreement, positive for both sides, the club and them, we’ll move forward.”
The “whole idea” Le Bris refers to is a philosophy of player development over stagnation. If Patterson’s path to regular starts is blocked by a veteran arrival like Omlin, the club believes a loan spell in the Championship would preserve his market value and professional growth.
The Captain’s Crisis: Dan Neil’s Contract Countdown
Perhaps the most concerning situation for the Sunderland faithful involves Dan Neil. The former club captain is entering the final six months of his contract, and with no extension in sight, the club faces a “sell now or lose for free” ultimatum.
Scottish giants Rangers and Bundesliga outfit FC Köln are reportedly waiting in the wings. Losing a local lad and a midfield engine for nothing in the summer would be a bitter pill for the sporting director to swallow, yet Le Bris remains optimistic about the “respectful connection” he shares with his players. He emphasized that even those not starting games remain “important in the dressing room and the training dynamic.”
Incomings: Jocelin Ta Bi and the Hunt for “Plug-and-Play” Talent
While the exit door is creaking, the entrance has seen only one new face so far: Jocelin Ta Bi. The young winger arrived from five-time Israeli champions Maccabi Netanya on a four-and-a-half-year deal.4
However, Le Bris was quick to temper expectations. The consensus among the coaching staff is that Ta Bi is a “signing for the future”—a project player rather than an immediate starter. With the club “still on the hunt,” the search continues for a more seasoned arrival who can contribute immediately to the second half of the season.
“At the minute nothing is official for any players but we’re working hard behind the scenes,” Le Bris reiterated. “We’re open to any options. If you don’t work, it’s just a statement, it’s not real. It’s important to work.”
The “Sunderland Feeling”: Why Players Aren’t Pushing to Leave
Despite the lack of minutes for some, Le Bris insists that no player has yet approached him to demand a transfer. He attributes this to the “positive atmosphere” currently permeating the club.
“They like the club. They like Sunderland,” Le Bris noted with a smile. “You know what you’re leaving and you feel that it could be more positive elsewhere, but it’s still a good place to enjoy your career. On Saturday, maybe one of those players will have an opportunity and then it’s a switch—you never know what can happen.”
This “switch” could be vital. With injuries and suspensions always a threat in the Championship, keeping the likes of Isidor and Neil engaged is a tactical necessity. However, with the financial allure of the Premier League and the tactical lure of regular football elsewhere, Sunderland’s “positive atmosphere” will be tested to its limit over the next 11 days.
The Verdict: A Balancing Act
Regis Le Bris is currently performing a high-wire act. He must manage the egos of frustrated stars, satisfy the financial requirements of the board, and ensure the squad isn’t weakened ahead of a potential play-off push.
The decision to hold onto Romaine Mundle until the end of the season shows that the club still has teeth and won’t be bullied into a total fire sale. But if the right offer—perhaps that £25m for Isidor—lands on the table, the “working hard behind the scenes” might suddenly turn into a flurry of official announcements.