"Tough baptism of fire" - Pundit issues Sunderland verdict ahead of January transfer "coup" | OneFootball

The Roma midfielder is expected to join Regis Le Bris' side on loan until the end of the season, and will join permanently if promotion is won.

Sunderland are closing in on securing a deal to bring Roma midfielder, Enzo Le Fee, to the Stadium of Light, earning the praise of Carlton Palmer.

The 24-year-old is out of favour at the Italian club, and is getting closer to being announced as a Black Cats player, joining Regis Le Bris' side on loan until the end of the season.

TalkSport have reported that there is a £20m obligation to buy the Frenchman if promotion to the Premier League is won. He only joined Roma in the summer from Rennes, but he has previously worked under the Wearsiders' current manager at Lorient.

Sunderland are currently fourth in the Championship table, just four points behind league leaders Leeds United, and they will be hoping that this deal will help push them in their bid to overtake Daniel Farke's team by the time the season comes to an end.

Carlton Palmer issues Enzo Le Fee verdict

Le Fee has had a difficult campaign at the Stadio Olimpico and will be hoping that a fresh start under a manager that he has had success with before will help him in his goal to play regularly in one of Europe's top five divisions.

The Premier League has become a surprise, realistic target for Sunderland this season, and the 24-year-old will only help in their push for promotion in the next few months, and he will feature alongside Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham in a young midfield.

It's a move that player-turned-pundit Palmer is excited to see, and he has heaped praise on the Black Cats for their ambition.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, he said: "Sunderland are in fourth place in the Championship on 50 points, only three points off the leaders Leeds United.

"They are very close to signing the midfield player from Roma, Enzo Le Fee. This would be a major coup for Sunderland to bring the midfield player to the football club. He's worked with the manager Regis Le Bris before. They worked together in France, and they have a very, very good relationship.

"Apparently, he's not in Claudio Ranieri's plans, and it's believed that it's a loan deal with a view to a permanent deal worth up to about £20 million, which would be a club record fee for Sunderland. But that will only come into action should Sunderland get promoted to the Premier League."

Palmer continued: "It's an ambitious bid. Obviously, the manager believes the player could fit in really well to English football because it's going to be a tough baptism of fire coming into the Championship. But given his quality, this would be a major coup and would help Sunderland kick on for the second half of the season in their quest to win promotion.

"I wonder if that signals that maybe Bellingham or one of the midfield players might be on their way out, which you hope not. You hope that it's just a case of bringing in reinforcements to help Sunderland kick on for the second part of the season."

Le Fee deal shows Sunderland's intent

At the start of the season, few would have predicted Sunderland to be in the position that they currently are, especially after finishing 16th in the previous campaign.

The sale of Jack Clarke, the club's talisman, coupled with the arrival of Le Bris, who was new to not only the division but the country itself, meant that the Black Cats went under the radar throughout the summer.

However, the additions of Chris Mempham and Wilson Isidor were excellent, and both are excelling at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland supporters will be hoping that Le Fee can help continue their team's push for the Premier League, and it shows that they are not settling for the play-offs, and they have played their hand in an attempt to win promotion automatically.