Sunderland are assessing transfer targets ahead of this summer.placeholder image
Sunderland are assessing transfer targets ahead of this summer. | Getty Images
Sunderland are targeting a young star who could be reunited with Régis Le Bris
Sunderland have enjoyed a successful first season back in the top flight of English football and recently reached the magical 40-point mark as they remain safely in mid-table.
The Black Cats had seen their outstanding form begin to tail off until a recent victory at Leeds United but will fancy their chances of securing a top-half finish in the Premier League for the first time since the 2010/11 season.
A large part of Sunderland’s great success this season has been due to their strong recruitment last summer, with 18 players signed by the club over the season in all and the majority of those being quality young players who have reached new heights at the Stadium of Light. More of the same will be demanded this summer as the North East outfit aim to further establish themselves in the division and push forward.
Sunderland rival Chelsea for Ligue 1 midfield ace
As per reports by Africa Foot, Sunderland have ‘intensified discussions’ over a move for FC Lorient’s Athur Avom, who is also attracting interest from Chelsea.
The 21-year-old has six months left on his deal at present, drawing interest from potential suitors such as Strasbourg, Galatasaray and Rennes in addition to the Premier League pair. Lorient have an option for a further year on his deal, which would complicate matters and force interested parties to pay a transfer fee for the midfielder’s services.
Avom’s agents are said to be in ‘direct talks’ with the Black Cats and a four-year deal with an option for another year has been discussed, with talks in preliminary stages and no agreement reached as of yet. But Sunderland are believed to have ‘gained an advantage’ over their rivals for the player and will hope to get a move over the line at the end of the season.
The central midfielder has registered one goal and one assist in 24 matches this season, being his first campaign in Ligue 1 after Lorient earned promotion last term. The 2004-born gem has also already earnt 11 Cameroon caps, scoring once for his country.
Could Régis Le Bris connection prove vital in Sunderland signing?
Avom joined Lorient in 2023 while current Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris was in charge and may look to reunite with the Frenchman in the red and white stripes this summer. While he did not feature for the first team while Le Bris was at Lorient, their past link may still prove useful in the Black Cats securing a move for the young Cameroonian – who they also targeted last summer but could not secure a deal at the time.
Chelsea will hope to provide stern competition and while BlueCo’s recruitment policy means that the west London side may end up looking to sign him for use by sister club Strasbourg, the pull of Chelsea is still significant and Sunderland will hope that the offer of regular Premier League football in their exciting project will prove too good an offer to turn down.
Avom currently has a market value of €9 million (£7.8m) according to Transfermarkt and while a desired transfer fee might eclipse this, Sunderland will feel that it is a worthy investment to sign a player who will fit in well with their recent recruitment policy and their aims for the future.
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