Reims captain Yunis Abdelhamid has shut down talk of Will Still joining Sunderland in the summer.
Sunderland showed heavy interest in appointing Will Still as Tony Mowbray’s successor before Christmas, however his compensation fee eventually put them off and resulted in them bringing Michael Beale in instead.
However, it took only 12 games for the 43-year-old to be sent packing and their has now been reports claiming that the Black Cats will go back in for Still at the end of the season.
Still, whose Reims’ side currently sit eighth in Ligue 1, has since suggested he could be open to a move to the Stadium of Light and has sent fans’ tails wagging.
The 31-year-old told The Athletic earlier this week: ““I would work for a Championship team without a problem.”
While Sunderland have looked on the right track to land Still in the summer, his current captain has denied claims that he wants to leave Reims.
Speaking to L’Equipe, Yunis Abdelhamid said: “Absolutely not. For us, Will Still is not up for it. What is said in the newspapers can lead to misinterpretation. So we, the players, don’t talk about that.
“We are focused and I can assure you that he is also fully involved with us.”
Can Sunderland still lure Will Still to Wearside?
Will Still reportedly has a £4.3 million release clause in his contract and Sunderland’s renewed interest suggests they are ready to cough up the cash to meet that.
The Belgian manager has made it clear that he wants to return to England, so a move to Wearside definitely seems plausible, while his Reims team will obviously be hopeful that he chooses to stay.
Sunderland‘s only real problem is likely to be their competition for his appointment.
Still has been one of the most talked-about coaches for a couple of years now and there is likely to be a lot more interest in him in the summer, while he could be a lot more tempted by clubs currently in the play-off positions or even those in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
It won’t really be the end of the world if they don’t land Still though, with Steve Cooper looking a very good option too. Though fans will probably be preparing for the worst in Alex Neil, Neil Warnock or someone similar.