N'Diaye Agent: Alfie Wants To Stay

Big Alf, who was farmed out on loan by previous manager Paolo Di Canio last summer, had looked set to leave the club over the past few days after it had emerged that Segunda Division side Real Betis intended to take the player back to Spain on a permanent basis. Despite this, his agent today has claimed the player wants to stay at Sunderland and play in the Premier League.

"At the moment, he is with the team and is working hard in pre-season. Real Betis really loved him and he had a great relationship with the coach.

He was happy over there with the city and the club, but now he is back with Sunderland. Betis want him and I know they keep talking with Sunderland about him, but he does not want to play in the Spanish Second Division. He would prefer to play in the Premier League with Sunderland. That is his main goal and he is focusing on that every day."

He added:

"Sunderland are interested in Alfred. He was given a programme to follow during the summer which he did and the feedback from the club has been good. He loves the club and wants to do his best to be in the team."

So, as it stands, it's really not clear what will happen with N'Diaye. With three pre-season games over the next week I'd estimate that Poyet will at least want to see him play some part before making a decision on whether or not he's worth keeping. N'Diaye, despite barely featuring since signing in January 2013, is somewhat of a cult hero with Sunderland fans and many feel he deserves a chance to prove himself, me included. Lets see how this one progresses in the coming weeks.