Noah Sadiki has impressed since joining Sunderland in a £15m deal in July (AMA/Getty)
Manchester United and Chelsea have held talks to sign Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki, according to reports.
The 20-year-old joined Sunderland in a £15 million deal from Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in July.
Sadiki has quickly established himself as a key figure in the Black Cats’ midfield and has started in all 15 of their Premier League games so far this season.
According to Sky Sport Switzerland, both Chelsea and United have made an approach for Sadiki ahead of the January transfer window.
The report claims that Chelsea’s hierarchy ‘acted immediately’ and asked for Sadiki’s price tag after the defensive midfielder impressed in Sunderland’s 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge on October 25.
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United, however, are also said to have approached Sadiki’s representatives at the start of the season and view the DR Congo international as a cheaper alternative to Carlos Baleba, whoBrighton priced in excess of £100m in the summer window.
Chelsea made their move for Noah Sadiki after he impressed at Stamford Bridge (Getty)
Sunderland, however, are in a strong negotiating position as Sadiki signed a five-year contract when he joined the club in the summer.
Meanwhile, Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris praised Sadiki for his desire to develop his game since joining the Premier League.
‘We can forget that he is only 20,’ Le Bris said last month.
‘He is a really good player. He has a different personality but I think he is really smart to understand what is needed to go further.
‘He looks at what type of specific profile he needs to progress – technical, physical. You don’t always find the same profile with every player – he has own characteristics but I think they fit well with the demands of the Premier League.
‘At the same time, though, you have to have the mentality to learn and be aware of what the characteristics of your environment are and what you need to do to improve. What can I do to get better? What advice do I need to take from other members of the team?
‘He has this combination of talent on one side, then on the other side, the ability to learn.’
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