Belgian defender Thomas Meunier is a name to scratch off Sunderland’s list as it appears Lille are blocking his departure this month.
Journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports that despite having been a player who was expected to leave the French side this summer, that is no longer the case.
He reports that Meunier has been declared as leaving this summer and benefitted from interest from Sunderland, but Lille’s management have now made it known that they wish to keep the right-back.
Why they have now made that decision isn’t made clear, but it appears that they don’t want to sanction a move away either way.
The 33-year-old joined them on a free transfer last summer and his current expires next summer so it’s unclear whether they intend to get him to sign another contract or let him leave on a free in a year’s time.
Either way, it appears he will be one recruit from France that Sunderland won’t be getting. The Black Cats have focused heavily on that market to strengthen Regis Le Bris’ squad this summer, but the Belgian has been put out of reach by Lille.