Sunderland director gets tough over transfer, club speak publicly about summer deal

 

Fenerbahce and Sunderland are still to decide if Jeremain Lens is permanently moving to Turkey at the end of the season.

The player was loaned to Fener last summer, and has managed to have a decent spell for the club so far, being one of the Turkish side’s most important players.

But in the past few weeks the Turkish media have claims Fenerbahce’s rivals Besiktas are interested in signing the player when the loan expires.

Turkish outlet Fotosport managed to speak to Sunderland media director Louise Wanless this week, and asked her about Lens’ situation.

“Lens is a Fenerbahçe player until May 31st,” she told Fotospor. “Fenerbahçe’s board will decide if he will stay as their player. If the amount we put forward is not accepted, then Lens returns.

“Either he plays for Sunderland or another club. But we don’t have a verdict on Lens right now. Did we get an offer from a different club from Turkey? Lens is Fenerbahçe’s player until May 31st, I can’t answer this before May 31st.”

It was recently claimed that Sunderland would be demanding €8m from Fenerbahce to sign the player, but the Turkish side would only be able to spend up to €5m due to Financial Fair Play.

Sunderland’s statement makes it clear he could move somewhere else at the end of the season, a clear nudge to Fenerbahce. Lens recently annoyed David Moyes by explaining to the Turkish media that Sunderland getting relegated could make a transfer easier.