Sunderland AFC plot move for 24-year-old who is well known to Regis Le Bris | OneFootball

The Black Cats are said to be linked with a move for the French midfielder

Sunderland are said to be considering a move for Roma midfielder Enzo Le Fee this winter, as Regis Le Bris looks to add to his options in the middle of the park at the Stadium of Light.

The Frenchman is a player well known to the Black Cats boss, having both been at Lorient together until the player’s departure for Rennes back in the summer of 2023, with a potential reunion reported by Scott Wilson in The Northern Echo ahead of the second-half of the current campaign, although they will have to wait for a decision from his current employers regarding his future.

The 24-year-old moved to the Serie A side in the most recent summer transfer window, but has failed to establish himself as a regular first-team starter in the Italian capital, with just four starts in the league so far this season.

With the Mackems said to be keen to add to their midfield options before the transfer deadline on February 3rd, Le Fee looks to be a player high on wish list, with a lack of game time at Stadio Olimpico adding fuel to the fire regarding a January departure.

Regis Le Bris looking to familiar face for Sunderland midfield addition

Having already outlined the need for midfield additions during the current transfer window, Le Bris looks set to utilise contacts from his previous employers to add to Sunderland’s ranks at the start of the year, with Le Fee a player who could add plenty to the side at the Stadium of Light, should Roma give the green light for a transfer to be agreed.

Although his move to Italy has failed to bring the best out of him, a reported €23m move from Rennes last summer proves just how highly he is thought of across the continent, with his breakthrough at Lorient seeing him ranked among the top players in Ligue 1 at the time.

The 22/23 campaign saw the midfielder excel in his role in the middle of the park, with his 67 key passes ranking among the top ten in the French top tier, while he continued to develop on a weekly basis.

Diminutive in stature, the 5ft 7in could prove to be the perfect addition in the middle of the park for Le Bris and his side, as they look to launch an assault on the Championship’s top two automatic promotion places as the season progresses.

Enzo Le Fee could be Jobe Bellingham replacement

The rumours surrounding Jobe Bellingham show no sign of going away, with Premier League side Crystal Palace continuing to show an interest in the young midfielder after his standout performances on Wearside over the past 18 months.

The all-action midfielder could well be on his way out of the club during the current transfer window, and if he does set sail, Le Fee could prove to be a welcome addition into the midfield, with his abilities with and without the ball likely to help to fill the void if Bellingham Jr. moves on.

During that peak Lorient spell, the Frenchman was the only player in Ligue 1 to register over 100 tackles, shot-creating actions and dribbles - according to The Athletic - and those abilities will be crucial in seeing him hit the ground running in the north east, with a return to the Premier League the closest it has been for some time after a resounding start to the season.