Sunderland fans are frantically refreshing their social media feeds, waiting and praying for some news about Roma midfielder Enzo Le Fee heading to Wearside during this January transfer window.
Sunderland were expected to make some signings during the winter window. But few would’ve expected the club to be linked with the calibre of player of Enzo Le Fee: the Roma midfielder who cost £19million just last summer.
On Monday, it was revealed that Sunderland are interested in Le Fee, though few thought a deal was possible. Then on Tuesday, the Black Cats were given a glimmer of hope after Le Fee pulled the plug on Real Betis who were set to sign him on loan with an option to buy for £16.6million.
But the latest is that Sunderland have held talks with Le Fee. Sunderland AFC News then revealed that the Sunderland are confident of signing Le Fee and that his former Lorient boss Regis Le Bris played a huge role in the move.
We also understand that Sunderland would have the option to buy Le Fee from Roma next summer, but an obligation.
Sunderland face Lille competition for Enzo Le Fee
With a Sunderland move for Le Fee reportedly in the final stages, fans will hope that a deal can be concluded before anything else springs up for Le Fee. But that might be too late with French outfit Lille reportedly keen.
Reports from Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Foot Mercato) say that Le Fee now has two options in front of him: Sunderland and Lille. But what makes the news so worrying is that previous reports stated Le Fee preferred a return to France during this winter window.
So far this season, Le Fee has featured six times in Serie A for Claudio Ranieri’s Roma, who currently sit in 10th place of the Italian topflight table after the opening 19 games of the campaign.
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Sunderland have already had one Enzo Le Fee rejection
It seems like Le Fee to Sunderland has quickly become a saga. But it’s simply because fans are so excited about the possibility of the 24-year-old joining their ranks and bolstering the promotion push in the second half of the season.
However, Le Fee does need to make a decision sooner or later, or the saga will only get worse. Already, there’s been reports that Le Fee rejected Sunderland’s initial approach, seemingly changing his mind after holding further talks with the club and Le Bris.
Lille’s emerging interest could yet see him reject Sunderland for a second time. It’s certainly worrying for the Black Cats given that Le Fee is thought to prefer a return to France this month.