Kevin Danso remains at Spurs as Sunderland loan bid fails

Tottenham have rejected a season-long loan proposal from Sunderland for centre-back Kevin Danso, keeping the 27-year-old Austria international at the club for now.

The rejection was reported by BBC senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel, who says it remains to be seen whether Sunderland continue their interest in the defender.

Why Danso’s Spurs chances are under pressure

Danso made his first appearance of the season in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win over Charlton, coming on as a second-half substitute. It’s the sort of cameo that tells its own story about where he currently sits in the pecking order – you can read more on that appearance via this look at his recent involvement.

His first-team chances are likely to be limited this season following the signings of central defenders Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke, the latter arrival examined in more detail in our piece on the defensive rebuild. Micky van de Ven has also signed a new contract and been named captain, a development covered separately in this look at his new deal. Danso has made 37 appearances for Spurs since arriving and has been capped 36 times by Austria.

The obstacle to a Sunderland move

The BBC report doesn’t say why Tottenham turned the offer down, only that they have. Whether that’s about squad numbers, valuation, or simply not wanting to weaken central-defensive cover isn’t spelled out, so best not to guess.

Separate reporting elsewhere has floated the idea that Danso himself would be open to leaving, but that claim hasn’t been verified through primary reporting and shouldn’t be treated as settled.

Outlook

For now, Danso stays put, with his opportunities expected to be limited rather than non-existent. Danso originally joined Tottenham on loan from Lens in January 2025, with the move made permanent later that year for £20.9m – a fee that makes any exit, loan or otherwise, a decision Spurs won’t rush.