Sunderland Eye Another Defender From France After Wilfried Singo Rumours: Le Bris Must Make The Call | OneFootball

If a report from Africafoot (cited by the Sunderland Echo) is believed to be true, Sunderland are eyeing a move for Cedric Kipre. Stade de Reims suffered a playoff heartbreak against Metz, resulting in relegation to Ligue 2. This might trigger a mass exodus in the summer, including the towering centre-back.

The Black Cats are back in the Premier League following a dramatic playoff victory against Sheffield United. The Stadium of Light will illuminate again after eight years of agony and despair, but the gaffer, Regis Le Bris, must bolster the squad with high-profile signings to retain their top-flight status.

While the 28-year-old defender is not considered a top name in Europe, his experience in England, Scotland, and Wales could see him make a difference in the heart of the backline. The Paris-born former Ivory Coast U23 international was roped in by Leicester City in 2014 from the academy ranks of Paris Saint-Germain. However, he failed to break into the Foxes’ first-team squad and was eventually released upon the expiration of his contract.

Kipre plied his trade north of the border and joined Motherwell in search of first-team football. His impressive stint at Fir Park led to a €1.10m transfer to Wigan Athletic in the English Championship a year later. There he spent a couple of seasons, but West Bromwich Albion, newly promoted to the Premier League, secured his services in the summer of 2020 following the Latics’ relegation to League One.

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 28: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cedric Kipre of West Bromwich Albion battle for the ball during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers at The Hawthorns on January 28, 2024 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the centre-half failed to break into Slaven Bilic and Sam Allardyce’s plans, and was eventually loaned out to Charleroi in February 2021 after no Premier League appearances at all. The Baggies were demoted at the end of the season, and Kipre, utilised sporadically in the Championship, was sent out on a season-long loan to Cardiff City for regular minutes.

Why Kipre Could Be Roped In To Add Depth In Deep Defence

The spell with the Bluebirds reinstated his first-team status, and after a blistering 2023–24 campaign at the Hawthorns, Kipre joined Reims on a Bosman, rejecting West Brom’s extension offer. The Red and Whites’ relegation marred his jubilation of homecoming, but the defensive ace impressed with his physical and aerial supremacy, strong tackling and interceptions.

Sunderland have skipper Luke O’Nien and Daniel Ballard, who made significant strides in deep defence under Le Bris. Yet they need reinforcements, with Chris Mepham returned to Bournemouth following a successful loan. Leo Hjelde is viewed as a sporadic option, and the club’s rumoured interest in Monaco star Wilfried Singo shows an intent to strengthen the defensive third. The manager’s contacts and connections in France helped them land Wilson Isidor and Enzo Le Fée, and the reports linking both Singo and Kipre depict an early pattern of how the club will operate in the transfer window.