Auxerre Defender Claims Sunderland Interest

Sunderland have been credited with an interest in AJ Auxerre defender Willy Boly, speaking to Sky Sports, Boly explains;

Sunderland? That would be fantastic. I have dreamt about the English league since the start of my career. I have also been linked with clubs in Italy, so maybe that is why I am also linked with (Paolo) Di Canio.

Boly has been a wanted man recently, with Neil Lennon confirming his interest in the defender in August, Lille recently sent scouts to the Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps to monitor the 6'3" centre-half and he has also been linked with West Ham United, Parma and Fiorentina.

The defender tells Sky Sports that he is flattered by the transfer rumours but that he will wait until the end of the season before deciding his future;

I am flattered by all of the talk, but I will wait until the end of the season to see where I will be.

However, he also spoke to Sky Sports in February and told them then that he was in no rush to leave French football;

I want to play more in the second half of the season and continue to impress my suitors.

I heard news and talk about teams in Europe. I am 22 years old, so I need to learn for two more years in the French league.

Boly is under contract with Auxerre until 2015 and, when linked with Celtic in the summer, was rumoured to have a price tag of £3.5m.

With Bramble and Kilgallon out of contract at the end of the season, Kader Mangane coming to the end of his loan deal (and the prospect of the permanent option being taken up still very much in the air) and long term doubts over Wes Brown's fitness, a move for one or more centre-halves seems very likely.

How much any of our future transfer dealing depends on a Director of Football being appointed remains to be seen but Boly, as well as Stoppila Sunzu, seem to be the kind of young, cheap talent that we should be looking to recruit.