# Valencia CF right-back recruitment – Meunier to Sunderland > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/valencia-cf-signing-thomas-meunier > Updated: 2026-08-09T02:10:09.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 10. Valencia CF’s 2026-27 preseason included fixtures in Spain and England, alongside the confirmed signings of midfielder Guido Rodríguez and centre-back Justin de Haas. The club’s search for a right-back initially focused on Belgian international Thomas Meunier. After reaching an economic agreement, negotiations stalled over contract length, with Meunier preferring a two-year deal while Valencia offered a one-year option with an extension. As Meunier's contract with LOSC Lille expired on 30 June, Valencia explored other options, including a potential loan for Sporting CP's Iván Fresneda and 23-year-old Andrés García from Aston Villa. Ultimately, Meunier rejected Valencia, as well as interest from Belgian clubs Anderlecht and Antwerp, to join Premier League side Sunderland on a two-year contract. Meunier later cited a lack of financial recognition from Lille as a reason for his departure from France. Sunderland, having finished seventh and qualified for the Europa League, confirmed the signing on 15 July following a medical in Newcastle. With the Meunier deal collapsed, Valencia revived interest in Andrés García as a priority alternative, while also monitoring targets such as Ryunosuke Sato and Aliou Dieng. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-09: Thomas Meunier joins Sunderland after Lille contract dispute Thomas Meunier has joined Sunderland after contract negotiations with LOSC Lille failed, citing a lack of sufficient effort from the club's management to meet his terms. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thomas-meunier-joins-sunderland-after-lille-contract-dispute ### 2026-07-15: Belgian defender Thomas Meunier signs two‑year deal with Sunderland Belgian right‑back Thomas Meunier, 34, has joined Sunderland on a free‑transfer two‑year deal, adding experience ahead of their Premier League and Europa League campaign. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yann-sommer-joins-club-brugge-as-thomas-meunier-signs-for-sunderland ### 2026-07-14: Andrés García targeted by Getafe and Valencia as loan options emerge Getafe negotiate a loan for right‑back Andrés García from Aston Villa, while Valencia revives interest after a failed Meunier deal, both seeking reinforcement on the right flank. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andrs-garca-targeted-by-getafe-and-valencia-as-loan-options-emerge ### 2026-07-13: Thomas Meunier signs two‑year deal with Sunderland after rejecting Valencia Belgian right‑back Thomas Meunier, 34, has agreed to a two‑year contract with Sunderland after rejecting Valencia’s offer, opting for Premier League play and Europa League competition. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/belgian-defender-thomas-meunier-heads-to-valencia-after-world-cup ### 2026-07-04: Valencia CF launches preseason and eyes Thomas Meunier signing Valencia CF starts preseason with a match against Atlético Petro Luanda, has secured Guido Rodríguez, and is negotiating for Thomas Meunier while planning further friendlies before La Liga. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/valencia-cf-moves-to-sign-rightback-thomas-meunier ### 2026-06-30: Thomas Meunier linked to Anderlecht and Valencia as free transfer approaches Thomas Meunier will be a free agent in July, attracting interest from Valencia and Belgian clubs Anderlecht and Antwerp, though no deal is finalized yet. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thomas-meunier-linked-to-anderlecht-and-valencia-as-free-transfer-approaches ### 2026-06-20: Valencia CF eyes Sporting's Iván Fresneda in right‑back transfer pursuit Valencia CF targets Sporting's right‑back Iván Fresneda, with Sporting holding his contract until 2028; other options include Thomas Meunier and Aston Villa’s Andrés García amid a vacancy caused by Thierry’s k 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/valencia-cf-eyes-sportings-ivn-fresneda-in-rightback-transfer-pursuit ### 2026-06-17: LOSC Lille eyes Yvann Titi as replacement for departing Thomas Meunier LOSC Lille aim to sign Troyes right‑back Yvann Titi for €2.5 m to replace departing Thomas Meunier as the Belgian moves toward Valencia. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/losc-lille-eyes-yvann-titi-as-replacement-for-departing-thomas-meunier ### 2026-06-14: Valencia CF reaches agreement with Belgian right‑back Thomas Meunier Valencia CF has agreed on a €2 million‑a‑year salary with Belgian right‑back Thomas Meunier; contract length is still under negotiation ahead of his free‑transfer after June 30 2026. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/valencia-cf-reaches-agreement-with-belgian-rightback-thomas-meunier ### 2026-06-02: Valencia CF targets Belgian defender Thomas Meunier for right‑back role Valencia CF aims to sign 34‑year‑old Belgian defender Thomas Meunier from Lille to replace injured Dimitri Foulquier and departing Thierry Rendall at right‑back. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/valencia-cf-targets-belgian-defender-thomas-meunier-for-rightback-role --- Cite as: Valencia CF right-back recruitment – Meunier to Sunderland. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/valencia-cf-signing-thomas-meunier