Sunderland have been told to re-sign fan favourite Yan M’Vila as links to the Frenchman begin to resurface.
Michael Beale is still waiting to make his first signing of the transfer window, although rumours linking them to former fan favourite Yan M’Vila have got supporters feeling excited.
The Frenchman was acquired on loan from Rubin Kazan in 2015 when the Black Cats were managed by Dick Advocaat.
After previously spending a season on loan at Italian giants Inter Milan, this signing was seen as a coup by many and he went on to prove that in the Premier League.
The defensive midfielder impressed during his one season at the Stadium of Light, featuring in all but one match in the top flight, and was one of few standout performers in a campaign that saw Sunderland avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth.
On the back of his impressive performances, Sunderland was keen on signing the then 26-year-old permanently, but a missed phone call meant he chose against returning to the North East.
Eight years on and the Black Cats have reportedly rekindled their interest in the midfielder.
Sunderland target Yann M’Vila
According to French outlet Foot Mercato, the 33-year-old is a ‘priority’ signing for Michael Beale in this transfer window.
M’Vila has made it clear previously that Sunderland would be the only club he’d drop down the divisions to join, to help them win promotion to the top flight.
The Black Cats, however, are met with heavy competition for his signature with M’Vila claiming he’s interested in signing for both Lyon and Marseille in Ligue 1.
It’s encouraging for supporters to know that the Frenchman – who is fresh from three years at Olympiacos – still holds Sunderland in a special place in his heart.
This has prompted several to urge the club to get a deal done.
Sunderland told signing Yann M’Vila is a ‘no-brainer’
Journalist Michael Beale wants to believe that this rumour is true and believes that signing him on a permanent deal is a “no-brainer”.
The majority of Sunderland supporters would agree with Graham. They want to see him return to the North East and help with their push towards promotion.
At the age of 33, though, he wouldn’t be the same player who joined on loan in 2015, but given he’s called for Ligue 1 clubs to snap him up, he still believes he can perform at a high level.
Beale has said that he’d like to strengthen in midfield after signing a striker and that has prompted links to M’Vila.
Defensive midfielder Pierre Ekwah has been underperforming for quite some time and investment is certainly needed in that area.
On a short-term contract, Sunderland could do much worse than re-signing the Frenchman, who could help galvanise their push for promotion.
Not only that, but pulling off a deal to capture him could get more supporters back on side with many growing increasingly frustrated with the club’s decision-making in recent weeks.