Rangers’ January transfer window ambitions have kicked into high gear, with the Ibrox club launching talks to bring Sunderland duo Dan Neil and Romaine Mundle north of the border. The Glasgow giants, chasing a record-setting 56th Premiership title, are leaving no stone unturned as they look to strengthen their squad for the second half of a season that’s seen a remarkable turnaround under head coach Danny Rohl.
On January 9, 2026, multiple sources confirmed Rangers had formally approached Sunderland regarding loan deals for both Neil, a tenacious midfielder, and Mundle, a dynamic winger. The move comes as part of a broader recruitment drive, with Rohl intent on reshaping his inherited squad after a turbulent summer and a string of injuries that have threatened to derail the club’s title challenge.
Rangers’ intent is clear. After losing key players Dujon Sterling and Connor Barron to long-term injuries, the need for reinforcements has become urgent. Barron’s absence, expected to stretch up to three months, has left a significant gap in midfield, while Sterling’s injury has further depleted squad depth. As a result, Rohl and the club’s recruitment team have been working overtime, not only targeting Neil and Mundle but also closing in on deals for Sturm Graz midfielder Tochi Chukwuani and Westerlo left-back Tuur Rommens in a combined £7.5 million package.
"We are looking at some other positions as well. But let's do the first job with the first two players (Rommens and Chukwuani) and then let's see what we can do next. But I can give you the guarantee that we work also on different positions," Rohl stated in a press conference, emphasizing the breadth of Rangers’ January ambitions. He added, "I think for me it's not just about the No.9. In general we have to increase our goals. And I think this is an important aspect in what we can find in the market."
Dan Neil, 24, is a Sunderland academy product and a local hero, having captained the Black Cats during their promotion-winning campaign last season. Despite his past influence, Neil’s Premier League opportunities have been scarce this term—he’s made just three top-flight appearances totaling 13 minutes, with his only full match coming in the Carabao Cup defeat to Huddersfield. With his contract set to expire in six months, Neil’s future at the Stadium of Light is increasingly uncertain, making a January move plausible.
Mundle, 22, has had a similarly challenging campaign. The winger, who joined Sunderland from Standard Liege for £2 million in 2024 after progressing through Tottenham’s youth ranks, was a key contributor in the Championship last season with five goals. However, injuries have hampered his Premier League breakthrough. Since recovering from a significant hamstring setback late last year, Mundle has featured regularly as a substitute, accumulating 171 minutes across eight league appearances but is yet to make a direct goal contribution. Notably, he has appeared in all but one of Sunderland’s last nine matches, hinting at growing trust from head coach Régis Le Bris, but a starting berth has remained elusive.
The competition for Mundle’s signature is heating up, with continental clubs such as Club Brugge and Strasbourg, as well as Spain’s Espanyol, reportedly monitoring his situation. Sunderland, for their part, are reluctant to sanction his exit unless they can secure reinforcements in the attacking department before the window closes.
Head coach Régis Le Bris has addressed the swirling transfer speculation with measured pragmatism. "The conversation is open for every player who lacks minutes," Le Bris said. "That’s always the case. The most important thing is the club project – this is the first idea. Then, after that, it depends on the situation. If we think that over the second half of the season, the player won’t play a lot, then it means you can perhaps find a solution. But you have to find another club with a good project as well. I still say that it is important to stay open, to avoid misunderstandings. If it is clear for everyone, then after that you can move forward."
Le Bris further clarified Sunderland’s approach to the January market: "The conversation is open for every player who likes minutes, it’s always the case. So, the most important thing is the club project. This is the first idea, and then after that, depending on the situation, if we can expect a player won’t play a lot, you can find a solution. Then you have to find another club with a good project as well. I still say that it’s important to stay open. To avoid misunderstandings and if it’s clear after that for everyone, you can move forward."
Sunderland’s strategy this window is twofold: offload fringe players to free up wages and bring in two or three new faces to bolster the squad. Timothee Pembele has already re-joined Le Havre on loan, while Jay Matete has departed permanently for MK Dons. Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman commented on Matete’s move: "We feel this is the moment for Jay to find a new home and establish a foundation for him to play regularly. This is a very good opportunity at a Club with progressive ambitions and who are well-placed in the league for promotion. We wish him every success in this next step."
As for Neil and Mundle, both are well known to Rangers boss Danny Rohl, who faced them during his time at Sheffield Wednesday. Their potential arrival would add much-needed depth and attacking verve to a Rangers side that has clawed back from a poor start to sit just three points behind league leaders Hearts. The Ibrox faithful are hopeful that these reinforcements can provide the final push in a tightly contested title race.
The situation remains fluid. Sunderland are set to hold further conversations with players over their futures following the FA Cup clash against Everton on January 10, with Le Bris hinting at possible squad rotation due to a congested fixture list and the return of several players from the Africa Cup of Nations. "After Everton, we will have a period where we can have different conversations with the players," Le Bris said earlier this week. "So far, it was probably not the best period to have those chats. For the players with less game time, they want to play. This is the normal life of a footballer. We will see what is possible."
With the January window far from over and multiple clubs circling, the futures of Dan Neil and Romaine Mundle are still up in the air. Rangers, however, have made their intentions clear—expect more movement as the days tick down and both clubs look to shape their squads for the battles ahead.