Sunderland centre-back Dan Ballard is now a target for RC Lens, who are managed by Will Still.
Will Still is a very familiar name among Sunderland fans; the 31-year-old was a long-term target for the Sunderland manager job, even reportedly agreeing to become the next Black Cats manager earlier this year.
But the Belgian-English coach later pulled out of the running and took the RC Lens job instead, securing himself another seat in the French Ligue 1 for the 2024/25 campaign.
Since, Sunderland have appointed Regis Le Bris who was manager of Lorient in Ligue 1 last time round.
The Black Cats have so far signed Simon Moore and Alan Browne on free transfers and look set for more incomings, and possibly some outgoings too.
Names like Jack Clarke and Jobe Bellingham are being linked with moves away. But now it’s Dan Ballard, with Still and RC Lens eyeing up a potential summer swoop.
Michael Graham comments on RC Lens and Will Still interest in Dan Ballard at Sunderland
Ballard, 24, enjoyed a strong 2023/24 season with Sunderland in the Championship.
The former Arsenal man played 43 times in the Championship after injury limited him to just 19 in the 2022/23 season.
But journalist Michael graham revealed on X on Tuesday that Still’s RC Lens have identified Ballard as a ‘major summer target’.
Further commenting on the matter, Graham has added that Sunderland won’t let Ballard go ‘lightly or cheaply’.
Graham also believes that Ballard is the best defender in the Championship.
How much do Sunderland value Dan Ballard at amid RC Lens links
Sunderland have a number of players, like Ballard, who are young and attracting interest from some of Europe’s top leagues.
Clarke, Bellingham, Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil, and Trai Hume are some of those names, and much of the time, a rather vague £20million valuation has been reported in the media.
So it may be safe to assume that Sunderland look towards the £20million mark for any of their in demand youngsters, depending on the teams linked, of course.
Ballard was previously linked to Everton and at the time, a £19million price tag was mentioned, so it may be safe to assume that Ballard is another £20million or so player at the Stadium of Light.
Though with centre-backs thin on the ground at Sunderland, there may be more emphasis placed on keeping Ballard than the likes of Clarke, for example.
Also, Ballard remains under contract until 2027, so the club are under no immediate pressure to sell the player.