Given their success since signing Nordi Mukiele in the summer transfer window, Sunderland may want to take a look at his little brother.
Ouest France cover the 20-year-old today as he continues to make an impression at Stade Rennais.
The younger Mukiele made his competitive debut for Rennes this season, after coming through their youth ranks and the B side.
He’s quickly made an impression, with one goal in three Ligue 1 games to date. That goal, against Nice, ‘turned heads’ as it was a beautiful, curled right-footed shot in a 4-0 win.
“It’s incredibly emotional! We’re in a fantastic dynamic with the team, we’re putting in the effort, and we’re being rewarded,” he said on the club’s website afterwards.
“People will be talking about me, but we also need to talk about Ludovic Blas (who scored the third goal), and the substitutes. I’m happy to have contributed to the victory.”
Strong bench option
That goal was actually Mukiele’s third in four days at the time. It came after a brace for the reserve team in their 3-2 win at Lens.
He’s described as a ‘physically imposing’ striker with a ‘well rounded’ and versatile profile. His goal at Nice is likely to help him find his footing and contribute off the bench. He’s certainly impressed manager Franck Haise.
“He’s shown a lot of good things since I arrived,” he said.
“Given what we were looking for at the end of matches, Nordan had the right profile for me, and I think he’s progressing.”
Sunderland love France
The question is if Sunderland would want such a deal. The Black Cats have certainly shown a willingness to focus on youth since promotion last year.
Nilson Angulo, Jocelin Ta Bi and Melker Ellborg are all under 23-years-old and signed this season. There’s also been a hard focus on France as well.
Habib Diarra, Nordi Mukiele, Salis Abdul Samed, Adil Aouchiche and Abdoullah Ba have all signed directly from France. Frenchman such as Enzo Le Fee and Wilson Isidor are key players under Regis Le Bris as well.
Thus, Sunderland keeping an eye on the younger Mukiele would make plenty of sense. It’s perhaps up to him to continue impressing between now and the end of the season.
Nordan Mukiele has a Stade Rennais contract lasting until June 2028. Transfermarkt value him at €200k, although that will be more of a stab in the dark than usual.
The bothers are both represented by Sport Cover, who intriguingly also look after the Thuram brothers.
