It’s no secret that there’s quite widespread interest in a handful of Sunderland players right now. Indeed, there has been throughout the season, and throughout the previous calendar year too.
Right now, there’s a number of Sunderland players who could seal a Premier League or top flight European move, and likely net the club a healthy £20million or so transfer fee in the process.
A few players stand out as being more likely to do so than most, though. Jobe Bellingham is a man in demand right now. Arsenal and Crystal Palace both want Bellingham, whilst his midfield partner Chris Rigg has been mentioned alongside the likes of Real Madrid this season; Bellingham too.
But the main story coming out of the Stadium of Light right now is Enzo Le Fee’s loan move to Sunderland. The French midfielder is on Wearside to see through his loan move from Roma in a move that’s gotten the whole of the Championship talking.
Regis Le Bris quizzed on potential Sunderland exits
Inevitably, Le Fee’s arrival in midfield has sparked debate about whether or not that means Bellingham could be sold during the January transfer window. But speaking to the press on Thursday afternoon, Regis Le Bris insisted that isn’t the case.
He told Sunderland Echo: “It’s clear that we want to keep our players, 100%. There is no doubt about this.” But Le Bris then revealed that he hopes his side do receive bids for the likes of Bellingham, who’s said to be valued at £20million by the Sunderland owners.
Le Bris added: “It is possible to receive offers and I hope we do, because it means that we have good players.”
It’s recently been revealed that Bellingham and Sunderland have a gentleman’s agreement that means the 19-year-old midfielder can leave during this January transfer window, should a Premier League team come in with a suitable offer.
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Michael Graham weighs in on Jobe Bellingham’s Sunderland future
Journalist Michael Graham also gave his thoughts on Bellingham’s Sunderland future, and how Le Fee’s arrival might have an impact on it.
Graham posted on X recently: “Can never predict anything with Sunderland, as apparently signing Enzo Le Fee proves, but worth noting that Regis Le Bris said #SAFC felt they were a central midfielder short at the start of January.”
Like Le Bris’ comments suggest, Le Fee arriving doesn’t necessarily mean that anyone is leaving. Likewise, Le Fee’s arrival indicated that Sunderland are very serious about earning promotion this season, so they’re bound to want to keep the likes of Bellingham.
That said, if an offer comes in and it’s a sizeable one, it could simply be too good to refuse.