Suddenly, the idea of Sunderland luring in an £11.5 million ‘phenomenon’ of a centre-forward who was playing European football only a year ago does not seem quite so fanciful.
That was not the case in August, when Sunderland were linked with Gift Orban for the first time.
A striker who, only a few months earlier, had reportedly been on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur. A striker who scored 10 goals in 11 UEFA Conference League games before securing a 14 million euro switch to French giants Olympique Lyonnais at the turn of the year.
But now, with Sunderland pursuing Premier League football and Gift Orban’s reputation plummeting fast, no one should be rushing to downplay the Black Cats hopes if Regis Le Bris’ Championship leaders opt to renew their alleged interest during the winter.
Whether they do or not, of course, only time will tell.
Wilson Isidor scored another ‘fantastic’ goal against Coventry last time out. The Frenchman now has five goals in nine Championship starts – most of them spectacular in one way or another – and Isidor’s agent is delighted to see the Zenit St Petersburg loanee find form again after a difficult spell at the Russian champions.
Isidor, however, is the only Sunderland player to score more than four in league action across 2024/25.
And while the Black Cats are still the Championship’s most prolific side with 25 to their name, the addition of a dedicated, goal-poaching centre-forward could yet be the difference between a return to the Premier League and another near-miss.
Sunderland gifted Orban chance as Lyon look to sell the striker
According to reports coming out of France, Lyon have decided to cash in on Orban in January.
That in itself represents quite the fall from grace for a striker who scored 32 goals in 52 appearances at Gent, with five hat-tricks coming in 2023 alone.
Not even Erling Haaland netted that many trebles in the calendar year.
Orban has played only five matches this term in Lyon colours.
With Alexandre Lacazette and Georges Mikautadze ahead of him in Pierre Sage’s pecking order, and with Les Gones expected to preside over a fire sale to ease their financial issues, Orban is one who will be allowed to leave.
And, as Isidor proves, one bad move does not a bad centre-forward make.
Isidor struggled for goals and confidence at Zenit but it’s fair to say he has not been short of either on Wearside. The Frenchman’s fine form, therefore, highlights the potential benefits of bringing in players in need of a fresh start.
Orban would arrive in a similar position, with a similar point to prove.
Orban labelled a ‘phenomenon’ during prolific Gent spell
“He’s a phenomenon and he will continue to be a phenomenon. I’ve said it five times and I’ll keep saying it,” Gent coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck said during happier times for Orban, the Nigerian hitting a 51-minute treble past Pogon Szczecin back in August 23.
“Even if he is no longer here, he will remain a phenomenon and I will continue to say that. His hat-trick? That is nothing special in itself anymore, is it?”
Lyon, understandably, will want to recoup as much of their investment as possible.
But perhaps Sunderland could do like they did with Isidor, and put forward a deal which sees Orban initially join on loan. Potentially, with an option to make the deal permanent if promotion to the Premier League can be secured.
Foot Mercato report that Lyon are looking for £10 million.
But if Gift Orban was to score the goals which fired Sunderland to the promised land, that would be one way to justify such an investment.