Sunderland summer signing Thomas Meunier has hit back at social media claims that the Black Cats were second choice for him this summer.
The interaction took place on X, where the Sunderland defender replied to a post from the Instant Foot account.
Meunier hits back
They relayed information from L’Equipe, which claims that Thomas Meunier had an agreement with Olympique Marseille this summer. He was due to sign to the French side, according to their information.
But instead, the Belgian elected to choose Sunderland instead. He was, reportedly, unable to wait for Marseille to unblock their financial situation to get a deal over the line.
That is something the Sunderland man denies in a direct reply to the tweet. He states that he ‘never had an agreement, nothing at all’ with the French side. It seems he wants it made clear that Sunderland were not second choice, at his report would suggest.
The 34-year-old joined the Black Cats on a free transfer last month after leaving Lille. It’s his fourth free transfer since 2020, having joined Borussia Dortmund, Trabzonspor and Lille on similar deals previously. In fact, nobody has paid a fee for him since PSG did so (€6m) in 2016.
Sunderland first choice
Now it appears he’s fully focused on Sunderland and the Premier League. And he wants it made clear that he wanted that move above any others, despite any claims originating from France.
The Belgian defender has long been linked with a move to the Premier League. Indeed, barely a year has gone by over the last decade in which a Premier League transfer hasn’t been mooted in some form or other.
Now he’s heading to the Stadium of Light and embarking on a European adventure with them too. And he wants no illusions over his commitment. Sunderland were first choice, and Marseille were never on the table, at least officially.
Jamais eu d’accord. Rien du tout.
— Thomas Meunier (@ThomMills) August 1, 2026
