Arthur Masuaku back in Sunderland training amid Konyaspor interest | OneFootball

Arthur Masuaku has returned to the Academy of Light for pre-season as uncertainty over his Sunderland future continues.

The DR Congo defender was expected to join the second half of the US tour after the World Cup round of 32, but he did not travel, with Konyaspor from Türkiye in talks to sign him. According to Sunderland Echo, no deal has yet been agreed.

Sunderland are pursuing a new left back, with Toulouse’s Dayann Methalie their primary target. Masuaku, who is in the final year of his contract, is still likely to leave this window.

Head coach Régis Le Bris has also welcomed back Granit Xhaka and Chemsdine Talbi, while summer signing Thomas Meunier has linked up after Belgium duty at the World Cup. The trio, along with Masuaku, have undergone pre-season testing and could feature against RC Lens in France on Saturday depending on their progress.

A Sunderland XI will face Lens behind closed doors at the Ligue 1 club’s training ground on Saturday morning, before Le Bris fields a strong side at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

Omar Alderete has not yet returned from his World Cup break after managing a knee issue during Paraguay’s campaign.

Source: Sunderland Echo

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