Anderlecht owner explains why Nilsson Angulo was sold to Sunderland

Anderlecht owner Marc Coucke has defended the club’s decision to sell Nilsson Angulo to Sunderland in January, insisting the controversial deal was unavoidable given the club’s financial reality.

The Belgian side sanctioned Angulo’s €20m move to Sunderland on deadline day, a transfer that drew criticism from supporters who were unhappy to see a key player leave midway through the season. Speaking after an appearance on De Tafel van Gert, Coucke explained why Anderlecht felt they had no option but to proceed.

Angulo arrived on Wearside as a direct replacement for Simon Adingra, who completed a surprise January switch to AS Monaco despite only joining Sunderland the previous summer. That late exit forced Régis Le Bris’ side into action, with the Black Cats quickly identifying Angulo as their priority target.

According to Voetbal 24, Coucke described the sale as “controversial” but financially necessary. Angulo had been a standout performer for Anderlecht this season, registering seven goals and eight assists in 30 appearances, form that pushed Sunderland into making a decisive move.

The Ecuadorian winger joined Anderlecht in 2022 for just under €2m and had already attracted interest last summer, with reports in Belgium suggesting he wanted a move. Anderlecht convinced him to stay, and his performances since then only increased his market value.

“When you don’t play European football for a season, you’re in a situation where you have to sell to keep the club healthy,” Coucke explained.

That context, he insists, made Sunderland’s offer impossible to turn down.

The timing of the deal has been the main source of frustration among Anderlecht fans, who saw Angulo as central to their campaign. However, Coucke stressed that the size of the offer outweighed sporting concerns.

Voetbal 24 report that Anderlecht “couldn’t ignore” a €20m proposal, particularly given the modest fee paid to sign Angulo three years earlier. The scale of the profit was viewed internally as essential to maintaining financial stability.

From Sunderland’s perspective, the numbers reflected both urgency and confidence. Having followed their recruitment closely this season, the club have shown a willingness to act decisively when key squad needs arise, even late in the window.

Sunderland’s hand was forced by Adingra’s departure, which left Le Bris short of attacking options. Angulo’s profile, output and adaptability made him an ideal replacement, and the Black Cats moved quickly once Monaco’s deal was finalised.

While €20m represented a significant outlay, Sunderland viewed the fee as justified by Angulo’s age, trajectory and recent production. It is also understood that the club felt competition would intensify in the summer had they waited.

However, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions about the long-term impact of the move, both for Sunderland’s squad balance and Anderlecht’s season.

Sunderland will now focus on integrating Angulo into Le Bris’ system as they push through the second half of the season. Expectations will be high given the fee involved and the circumstances of his arrival.

For Anderlecht, the challenge is managing the sporting fallout of losing a key contributor. Coucke’s comments suggest similar decisions could arise again unless European qualification returns, underlining the fine balance between ambition and sustainability at the club.

Did Anderlecht make the right call selling Angulo in January, or should they have waited until the summer?