Sunderland open Traoré talks as £47.3m Kyril Louis-Dreyfus transfer commitments revealed | OneFootball

Régis Le Bris says Sunderland have opened talks over Bertrand Traoré’s future, while fresh club accounts show £47,346,348 committed on transfers ahead of Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby at Newcastle.

According to Sunderland Echo, discussions involving sporting director Florent Ghisolfi have begun, though Le Bris said it is too early to decide. Traoré signed from Ajax on deadline day last summer on a one-year deal, with an option for a further season.

The winger became central to Le Bris’s attack before injuries disrupted him after the Africa Cup of Nations. He sustained a knee problem on international duty, then suffered a recurrence at Elland Road earlier this month. He is expected to be out for roughly another month, and Sunderland hope he can feature late on.

The 2024-25 accounts, covering promotion back to the Premier League, show an operating loss of £1.1m, around £7m better than the previous year. Turnover rose to £40.3m, gate receipts climbed 14.3% to £13.3m and player sales delivered around £45m profit, with staff costs above £50m and close to £10m invested in facilities. The club said the figures reflect strong performance built on core strengths.

Striker Wilson Isidor has confirmed he will represent Haiti after a call-up, saying he reflected before deciding and wants to honour the nation alongside his team-mates.

Sunderland loanee Luís Hemir was an unused substitute in Moreirense’s defeat to FC Porto and did not take part in the warm-up. A Bola reports that followed behaviour before the match the club viewed as inappropriate. Coach Vasco Botelho said he cares for the player but stressed team standards and difficult decisions that aid growth.

Away fans arriving at Newcastle Central Station on Sunday will be escorted by police to St James’ Park. The main escort leaves at 10.15am, with supporters urged to arrive in good time for the 12pm kick-off and to expect busy public transport and queues.

Source: Sunderland Echo