Sunderland in three-team race for Lille winger | OneFootball

Highlights

Sunderland are interested in signing Lille winger Alan Virginius in the January transfer window.

That's according to a report from French outlet Foot Mercato, who say there is interest from elsewhere in Europe in the 20-year-old as well.

Game time hard to come by for Virginius at Lille

Virginius joined Lille back in the summer of 2022, joining from Sochaux after scoring eight goals in 50 games for the Frech lower league club.

However, the winger has found it harder to get first-team opportunities, since completing his move to the North of France.

The 20-year-old has managed just 23 appearances in all competitions for Lille since the start of last season, scoring once in that time.

That includes just five outings during the current campaign, and as a result, it seems as though Virginius could soon be on the move again, with the January transfer window now open.

Sunderland in race to sign Virginius

According to this latest update, Virginius has become disillusioned with life at Lille, meaning he could now look to leave with the market open.

That has apparently attracted attention from elsewhere, including the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland said to have looked into the possibility of a move for the 20-year-old.

However, the Black Cats are not alone with their interest in the winger, who could have options to choose from when it comes to his next destination.

It is thought that Lille's Ligue 1 rivals Clermont Foot, have also shown an interest in signing Virginius.

Even so, it is Young Boys who are apparently pushing hardest for his services, with the Swiss side reported to have already made an offer to sign the winger on a loan deal, that includes the option to buy for a fee of €4.5million.

There are three-and-a-half years remaining on Virginius' contract with Lille, securing his future at the club until the end of the 2026/27 season, putting them in a strong position to negotiate any offers that come in over the course of this month.

Sunderland in Championship play-off hunt

It has been a positive season so far for Sunderland, as they look to once again secure a place in the Championship play-offs.

The Black Cats picked up a second win in four games since the appointment of Michael Beale with a 2-0 win over Preston on New Year's Day.

As a result, they now sit sixth in the Championship table, with 40 points from 26 league games this season.

Sunderland are next in action on Saturday afternoon, when they host big rivals Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light, in the third round of the FA Cup.

Virginius an intriguing target for Sunderland

It does feel as though this is another interesting link to emerge for Sunderland.

Virginius does seem to have some useful potential judging by the fact he is playing in the French top-flight already, and he may provide some useful depth on the wings, if they do lose options in that area.

However, it would be another young and inexperienced attacker they are bringing in to their forward line if they complete this move. That could make this something of a risk given their struggles for goals from a number of individuals in that position at the club right now.

As a result, you do wonder whether Sunderland might well benefit from searching for some more established options to bolster their attack, now that the window is open.