Timothée Pembélé is poised to complete a permanent transfer to Le Havre from Sunderland, according to L’Équipe. The 23-year-old defender, who initially joined the French side on loan for the 2024-25 season before extending his stay through the winter of 2026, is expected to sign a long-term contract in Normandy imminently.
The move represents a significant piece of business for Le Havre, who identified securing the former Paris Saint-Germain trainee as a priority this summer. Pembélé made 35 appearances across all competitions during his temporary stays at the Stade Océane, starting 15 matches and scoring once.
Fresh start after English struggles
The transfer offers Pembélé a chance to establish himself following a disappointing spell in England. Despite arriving at Sunderland with considerable promise, the France Under-23 international made just eight appearances for the Black Cats and struggled to secure a regular role in the Championship.
The Beaumont-sur-Oise native previously came through the prestigious PSG academy but never broke into the senior setup in Paris. He gained valuable top-flight experience during a loan stint at Girondins de Bordeaux before making the permanent switch to Wearside, where opportunities remained limited.
Le Havre’s summer recruitment
Pembélé will become Le Havre’s third signing of the current transfer window, following the arrivals of Kaito Mizuta and Vincent Sasso. The club is also reportedly closing in on Amir Richardson as they continue to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign.
The permanent acquisition provides defensive stability for the Normandy outfit, who clearly value the consistency Pembélé demonstrated during his extended loan spells. For the player, the long-term arrangement offers a platform to rebuild momentum in familiar surroundings after his frustrations in English football.