Will Still is a name that Sunderland fans surely remember well. He was the club’s no.1 choice to replace Michael Beale and a deal looked to be quite advanced before Still pulled out, and stayed in France.
Will Still has previously visited Reims. Then, in the summer of last year, he left the club, sparking considerable speculation that he would be joining Sunderland, who had wanted to recruit Still since the day Michael Beale was let go in February.
However, it was believed that Still pulled out of a move to Sunderland due to worries over Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ resources and the composition of the backroom staff. Sunderland soon hired Regis Le Bris, and Still accepted the position at RC Lens.
The question of whether Still would have been a good fit is no longer relevant. Le Bris is performing admirably, and the Sunderland hierarchy’s decision to wait and appoint him now appears to have been extremely wise.
However, Still and his RC Lens club may be about to steal a transfer target from Sunderland.
However, it was believed that Still pulled out of a move to Sunderland due to worries over Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ resources and the composition of the backroom staff. Sunderland soon hired Regis Le Bris, and Still accepted the position at RC Lens.
The question of whether Still would have been a good fit is no longer relevant. Le Bris is performing admirably, and the Sunderland hierarchy’s decision to wait and appoint him now appears to have been extremely wise.
However, Still and his RC Lens club may be about to steal a transfer target from Sunderland.
RC Lens have bid for Sunderland target Louie Barry
Louie Barry has been linked with Sunderland and a number of other Championship clubs during the January transfer window. The Aston Villa teenager is set to go out on loan after being returned following his good loan spell with Stockport County.
However, Sky Sports has stated that Still’s RC Lens has made an offer to sign Barry from Aston Villa permanently. Celtic have also made a bid, but Barry is expected to remain at Villa.
Aston Villa want a new deal for Barry before moving him out on loan, since Unai Emery appears to enjoy the player and does not want to lose him permanently.
Why is this good news for Sunderland?
Celtic and RC Lens appear to be heading for early disappointment in their attempts to capture Barry on a permanent basis from Aston Villa, who now appear to prefer a loan deal during the January transfer window.
Sunderland will benefit from this. They wouldn’t be able to compete with clubs like RC Lens and Celtic in a permanent race, as the Black Cats appear to be spending all of their money at getting a deal for Tom Cannon completed.
So, with Villa presumably seeking a loan deal for Barry, Sunderland remains in the running. If the Black Cats can sign both him and Cannon before the deadline, it will make for a spectacular January transfer window at the Stadium of Light.
Leave a Reply