Sunderland face losing Dan Ballard to Ligue 1 this summer.
The defender was one of Sunderland’s most important players last season and had previously attracted interest from Everton.
The Black Cats had reportedly opened talks with him over a new contract as they look to keep hold of their prized assets, however Lens are now looking to lure him away before he puts pen to paper.
Will Still has made Ballard a ‘major summer target’ and will look to tempt him with the promise of challenging for European football.
Sunderland do look unlikely to part ways with the centre-back though, with their timely news of his minor surgery meaning he won’t be available until the end of August at the earliest.
- READ MORE: Regis Le Bris told chances of keeping hold of Sunderland ‘super talent’ Jack Clarke this summer
Sunderland place eight-figure price tag on Ballard
However, if Lens are to continue their pursuit of Ballard then they will face the major stumbling block of his hefty price tag.
According to the Sunderland Echo, the Black Cats could demand ‘way in excess of £20 million’.
The Wearside outfit reportedly paid around £2m for the former Arsenal man in 2022, but his importance to the club has catapulted his value massively.
Ballard’s price tag would value him at the similar mark to Jack Clarke, while it would also make him one of the most expensive defenders to ever leave the Championship.
Can Lens afford the Black Cats defender?
Jacob Greaves has joined Ipswich Town in a deal worth £18m, so it seems a fair ask of Lens from Sunderland.
The French club have only ever spent more than £13m on a transfer once though – signing striker Elye Wahi for £30m last summer.
In fact, according to Transfermarkt, Lens have only ever spent eight-figures on three players in their history.
It would be a huge surprise if they were willing to meet Ballard’s valuation, though it would still be interesting to see whether the 24-year-old was tempted by a move to the French top division.
Reports in February stated Everton were willing to pay £19.6m for Ballard this summer though, so it could spell trouble if they decide to go ahead with their previous plans.
The defender was willing to drop down to the Championship for regular game-time and has so far believed in the direction Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is heading in, so perhaps, like Jobe, he will be willing to give the club another season to push their way into the Premier League themselves.