Obraniak Claims Sunderland Contact

29-year-old Polish international Ludovic Obraniak has spoken out about his desire to leave current side Werder Bremen in a bid to secure more playing time ahead of Euro 2016 and claimed talks were held between his club and two Premier League outfits during the transfer window.

Having featured on just ten occasions in the Bundesliga for Werder last season, the French-born attacking midfield man sought to find another home in which to allow his footballing talent to blossom, as his country got underway with their attempts to qualify for the European Championships to be held in France two years from now.

Obraniak made his debut for Poland in 2009, having switched allegiance from the French national set-up with whom he was capped at under-21 level. The defection was made possible thanks to a Polish grandfather and enforced upon him largely due to a lack of opportunities at senior level for France.

Now, having cemented a spot with his adopted country, he is loathe to let go of his ambition to feature at the next major tournament, as he explained to German newspaper Bild:

" Sunderland and West Ham United had been in touch, but we could not find an agreement over a transfer.

"I don't think that it is a problem to admit I want to move away. This is not a mistake. It's just the way I am, it's my character. I like to point things out.

"My ambition is to play in Euro 2016 for Poland, therefore I need to play regular matches. It's just reasonable to move clubs because of that."

The former Bordeaux star will need to wait until at least January to complete a move elsewhere, but is intent on leaving once the window reopens.

It remains to be seen whether Sunderland revive their reported interest in a little over three months from now.