Door could be wide open for Sunderland to snap up Ligue 1 star after £16.5m transfer confirmed

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 29: Sunderland manager Regis le Bris looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City FC and Sunderland AFC at Bet365 Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

2025 has so far been a torrid year for Sunderland, who overcame promotion rivals Sheffield United on New Year’s Day in a dramatic contest on Wearside.

Sunderland were anticipated to struggle at home against Sheffield United in their first game of 2025, especially since the Blades defeated Sunderland 1-0 earlier in the season.

This time, Regis Le Bris’ side won.Sunderland defeated Sheffield United 2-1 in a standout effort, with Eliezer Mayenda scoring and assisting both goals.

The Black Cats’ concentration and attention must be divided between future league games and the January transfer window.

The market is open for business and the Black Cats look to be in need of one or two new faces, to guarantee they have the resources needed to maintain their promotion push.

One name linked of late is Glen Kamara..

 

Rennes' Finnish midfielder #28 Glen Kamara (L) fights for the ball with Monaco's Japanese forward #18 Takumi Minamino during the French L1 football...

Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty Images

Door now open for Sunderland to sign Glen Kamara at Rennes

In the lead-up to January, Sunderland was connected with Rennes’ Kamara. The Finnish international reached the Championship play-off final with Leeds United last season before joining Ligue 1 for £8.4 million following only one season at Elland Road.

It is thought that he has a strong interest in England, with Premier League teams also being linked. Prior to the New Year, it was claimed that Ipswich Town and Southampton had expressed interest in Kamara.

Now, the door may be open for Ipswich, Southampton, and, of course, Sunderland to step in for Kamara, who has been a bit part player this season, making only two substitute appearances in Rennes’ previous four games and totalling 13 league appearances in 2024-25.

On New Year’s Day, Renes finalised the alleged £16.5 million acquisition of Al-Nassr midfielder Sekou Fofana. Rennes is to’remodel’ their midfield, with Fofana replacing Kamara, according to a report from French outlet SCORE.FR.

Glen Kamara of Leeds United looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Sunderland at Elland Road on April 09, 2024 in ...
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images

For Sunderland, Kamara would have to join on loan. They couldn’t afford the deal, and Rennes was certain to try to return his purchase price.

A loan move appears to be possible, and it would be beneficial to the Black Cats, given Kamara is an experienced player who demonstrated Championship quality at Leeds the previous season.

But Le Bris appears to be focussing on Premier League loan signings. According to a recent interview with The Northern Echo, the club is currently focused on the Premier League market.

Le Bris continued: “It’s a good market with good targets. But it’s the same idea: we need strong quality and a solid relationship to the team, so it’s difficult to find.”

While the door is wide open for Sunderland to sign Kamara, loan agreements for young Premier League players appear considerably more plausible.

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