Sunderland 'in direct talks' for £7.7m-rated Arthur Avom amid Chelsea interest | OneFootball

According to Africa Foot, Sunderland are in 'direct talks' over Lorient midfielder Arthur Avom, with the club looking to bring the 21-year-old to the Premier League as Chelsea monitor him.

The Black Cats are said to be stepping up a summer move, with RC Strasbourg, Galatasaray and Stade Rennais also interested.

The Cameroon international joined Lorient while Régis Le Bris was head coach, and the pair worked together before Le Bris took charge at the Stadium of Light in June 2024.

Talk of a reunion first emerged last summer but no deal followed. Fresh indications suggest Sunderland are pushing ahead with discussions with the player's representatives, and a long-term contract is being explored.

The proposed agreement is believed to be four years with an option for a further season, though nothing is final. Avom's current Lorient deal runs until June 2026, and the French club are thought to hold an option to extend by a year.

He is valued at around €9m, about £7.7m. If Lorient trigger their clause, any buyer would likely need to negotiate a fee, and Sunderland are aiming to move early to fend off rivals.

Source: Sunderland Echo