Sunderland Weighing Up Summer Move For This Marseille Midfield Veteran: What Should The Black Cats Do | OneFootball

If a recent report from L’Équipe (as cited by Chronicle Live) is believed to be true, Sunderland are assessing Valentin Rongier and have contacted Olympique Marseille over a potential summer swoop for the veteran midfielder. However, they are not alone in the race, with Serie A side Como also keen on securing his services for a fee in the region of £8.6m.

The 30-year-old Frenchman progressed through Nantes’ youth ranks before claiming a regular role for their reserves in the lower leagues. He eventually earned a senior status for La Maison Jaune, and after 135 senior appearances, Rongier completed a €13m transfer to Marseille in September 2019.

The midfield maestro has been irreplaceable ever since, having featured 196 times for Les Phocéens till last season. Despite his mettle and impact all these years, Marseille do not have plans to extend his contract beyond next summer. They are open to offers for Rongier, thus alerting his suitors, including the Black Cats.

The Black Cats Have Already Bolstered Their Midfield

Sunderland are having a busy summer under Regis Le Bris as they have not only roped in several first-team stars but also appointed Florent Ghisolfi as the new director of football. Their contacts and connections in France would be crucial if they step up the chase in due course. Moreover, Jordan Henderson’s Bosman switch to Brentford could now ramp up their interest in the playmaker.

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – MAY 05: Valentin Rongier of Marseille is challenged by Luis Sinisterra of Feyenoord during the UEFA Conference League Semi Final Leg Two match between Olympique Marseille and Feyenoord at Stade Velodrome on May 05, 2022 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Chris Ricco/Getty Images)

The newly-promoted Premier League side lost Jobe Bellingham, who plied his trade to Borussia Dortmund for £32m. But they restored parity in the centre of the pitch by snapping up Habib Diarra from RC Strasbourg. Noah Sadiki, wrapped up from Union SG, would also be a utility option for his flexibility across defence and midfield.

Why Sunderland Should Still Opt For Experience

But the duo are in their early 20s, and so are Daniel Neil and Chris Rigg, who dominated the midfield game throughout the previous campaign. Neil and Rigg were pivotal to their dramatic top-flight promotion, defeating Sheffield United in the play-off final. Yet, the lack of experience might haunt them in the Premier League unless they find the right balance in the middle of the park.

Predominantly a ‘number six’, Rongier brings composure, technicality, and passing expertise as a deep-lying playmaker. Yet Le Bris and the management might have to make strategic amendments to incorporate the Marseille star. The French boss’s Sunderland project focuses on stability in the long run, and therefore, prefers not to sign someone in his thirties as a first-team regular. Nevertheless, they have secured 31-year-old Reinildo Mandava as a free agent, and it remains to be seen whether they splash the cash on another proven veteran.