"Incredible" - Sunderland backed to seal Champions League midfielder deal | OneFootball

The Ghana international has an extremely strong pedigree for a Championship signing

Sunderland are reportedly progressing a loan move for Ligue 1 midfielder Salis Abdul Samed, and it's a move that is exciting fans.

The news that the Black Cats were looking at a temporary switch for the RC Lens man was first reported by French outlet L'Equipe, where they also confirmed that the defensive midfielder was receiving interest from within France from the likes of Brest and Nantes.

It was also confirmed in the same report that the two clubs are looking at a 'dry loan', which means it will be a straight temporary switch for the season, with no obligations or option to buy at the end of the term.

Our Sunderland Fan Pundit, Eddy, has given us his thoughts on the potential deal...

The Black Cats fan believes that Abdul Samed's pedigree and profile are a perfect fit for the Stadium of Light as the end of the transfer window nears.

Speaking to Football League World, Eddy said: “I would be delighted if we signed this lad. He’d be more than a suitable replacement for Ekwah.

“Last season he made over 20 appearances in the French top tier, including six Champions League starts, which is really impressive.

“I think he’d be the first proper centre defensive midfielder signing since Corry Evans, which is incredible really. “We need that extra physicality in the middle of the park and this lad clearly has it in abundance. “I’ve also read that he was named the best central midfielder in Ligue 1 by some of the French media a few years ago, so he’s definitely got some pedigree.

“I really hope we can pull this signing off.”

It would represent a coup for the Black Cats

Operating at the top level of French football and turning out for Lens in both the Champions League and Europa League last season has seen Abdul Samed come up against some of the best players Europe has to offer.

That includes the likes of Bakayo Saka and Declan Rice against Arsenal in the Champions League — who Abdul Samed's side beat in the first leg — and the likes of Mbappe in Ligue 1, before he got his move to Real Madrid.

They are talents unlike anything the Ghana international would face in the Championship, meaning he should be more than prepared for anything that may come his way at the Stadium of Light.

Should Pierre Ekwah depart, with talk that he could be heading the opposite way across the water to Saint-Etienne, according to Foot Mercato, then Abdul Samed would be a strong replacement.

As Eddy identifies, that departure would leave Sunderland short in an area that they have been light on for some time and Abdul Samed would be a very strong replacement.