Sunderland sources have denied reports linking the Black Cats with a move for NEC Nijmegen midfielder Noé Lebreton.
Sunderland are not understood to be actively interested in French attacking midfielder Noé Lebreton despite claims the club were closing in on a deal.
FourFourTwo reported that the Black Cats were close to adding a French midfielder to Régis Le Bris’ squad and identified the NEC Nijmegen player as the individual in question. However, Sunderland sources have denied those claims and indicated that Lebreton is not currently a player the club are pursuing.
The 22-year-old joined NEC from French second-tier side Caen last summer and enjoyed an impressive first campaign in the Netherlands, registering seven goals and six assists across 27 Eredivisie appearances. His performances helped NEC finish third and secure a place in the Champions League third qualifying round, while the link appeared plausible given Sunderland’s recent business with the Dutch club.
The Black Cats signed goalkeeper Robin Roefs from NEC last summer, with the 23-year-old subsequently enjoying an excellent first season in English football before heading to the World Cup with the Netherlands. Lebreton’s age, profile and development potential would also appear to fit Sunderland’s wider recruitment approach under sporting director Florent Ghisolfi.
Nevertheless, the club’s position is that there is no active interest in the midfielder and suggestions that a move is close are wide of the mark. Sunderland remain active in the transfer market as they prepare for a season involving Premier League and Europa League football, but Lebreton is not currently understood to feature among their immediate targets, with claims to the contrary firmly denied following the initial link.
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