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According to reports in France, Sunderland are hoping to sign Djamel Mesbah from Parma but face competition from Sochaux, Sampdoria and Torino.
Mesbah is primarily a left back who can play on the wing and is looking for a move ahead of the World Cup after falling out of favour at Parma. According to the report, Sunderland and Sochaux are leading the race for the 29-year-old. The player recently turned down a 'huge offer' from a club in a Gulf country and was reportedly hoping to stay in Serie A.
The Algerian international, who has 22 caps for his country, has spent the last few years in Italy with Lecce, AC Milan and Parma but he started his career in Switzerland with Servette, before moving to Basel, Lorient, Aarau, Luzern and Avellino.
It seems very unlikely that we would sign another left back so soon after the arrival of Marcos Alonso from Fiorentina but with Andrea Dossena failing to impress since signing from Napoli, it could be that Sunderland are looking at potential replacements for the Italian. Whether Mesbah would see a move to Wearside as beneficial to his World Cup hopes, when Alonso and Dossena are already at the club, is doubtful.
Don't hold your breath with this one.
Stay tuned to Roker Report throughout January as we keep you up to date with his and all other transfer news and rumours. Also, feel free to keep in touch with our dedicated Transfer Centre, which you can do by CLICKING HERE.
