Sunderland are in the picture to sign youngster Enzo Bardeli, with a host of clubs showing an interest in the USL Dunkerque player.
That’s according to Foot Mercato, who report that several sides are stepping up for the 23-year-old, who was in Thierry Henry’s pre-selection for the Olympic Games in Paris.
Dunkerque relied on various youngsters in the squad last season and Bardeli was one of them, rewarding that faith with three goals and five assists in 38 games in Ligue 2.
That earned him the attention from Henry, with those numbers backed up by him being among the top players when it came to key passes in the whole of Europe.
Described as ‘technically fine’ with a range of passing skills, his talents have put him in the spotlight and made several clubs, including Sunderland, interested in a potential move.
They, as well as Real Valladolid, Lecce, Metz, AZ Alkmaar, Atlanta and clubs from Germany and France, whose names have not yet been revealed, have all expressed an interest and had him scouted regularly in recent months.
There’s no mention of a potential bid or even talking with an agent as yet, just that Sunderland are interested and could move.
They’ll presumably be eyeing a low-cost deal that could see them get the player on the cheap, perhaps with a future sell-on included, that will allow them to develop him in the Championship and make a future profit.
Whether he fancies that is up for debate, but the Black Cats are very much in the mix for the youngster either way.
