Sunderland enquire after striker; Conflicting reports over McInnes & Lens inches closer to exit

Sunderland enquire after Bertrand Traore

According to the Daily Mail, Sunderland have enquired about taking Burkino Faso striker Bertrand Traore from Chelsea on loan.

The 21-year-old was at Ajax last season scoring 9 goals in 24 appearances. The Dutch side reached the Europa League final and have enquired about making Traore's transfer a permanent one.

Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images

The Black Cats are said to face competition from Bundesliga side Schalke and Ligue 1 outfit Lyon who are also interested in taking the 5ft 10in frontman. Whether the forward himself or Chelsea would seriously consider the Championship as an ideal next step is debatable.

A permanent transfer fee of £17m has been suggested as the figure the Blues would require to sell him.

Sunderland will be in the market for a squad of forward players this summer with Jermain Defoe set to exit in the coming days and Fabio Borini likely to follow soon after.

---

Conflicting reports surround McInnes move

Dependent on whether you source news north or south of the border will sway your perception of how likely Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes is to become the next Sunderland manager.

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

The 45-year-old is quoted across the Scottish dailies this morning as plotting his Pitodrie future with recruitment plans discussed for next season. Quotes in the Daily Record and the Scotsman seek to reassure Dons' fans their manager is unlikely to head south:

I've said it often enough, I love working here. I think it's a brilliant club, I feel at home here. It would take something special for me to want to leave.

Alternatively, reports south of the border suggest Sunderland officials have already made contact with McInnes and will embark on formal talks this week.

No shifts in the betting markets as at this morning, as McInnes is still firm favourite to succeed David Moyes in the Stadium of Light hot seat.

---

McInnes will haul winger down with him

If he takes the job at Sunderland, Derek McInnes will bring Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes with him - according to various reports which appear to have originated in the Daily Mail yesterday.

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

The Republic of Ireland international is attracting attention from suitors after an impressive season and Harry Redknapp is one such admirer having had the 29-year-old watched in Saturday's Scottish cup final.

Hayes is also said to be a target for Celtic with Brendan Rodgers determined to hoover up every scrap of talent he can north of the border.

The Dublin-born midfielder has had something of a late career rise having only found regular first team football when he moved to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2009. That move to Scotland followed spells with Reading and Leicester which saw him loaned out to Mk Dons, Forest Green, Northampton Town and Cheltenham Town.

---

Feyenoord 'agree fee' for Lens

Reports in the Netherlands claim Feyenoord have agreed a fee for Sunderland's want-away winger Jeremain Lens.

Besiktas are still keen on landing the 29-year-old Dutchman but will only pay a maximum of 3-million-euros for the player who cost Sunderland about three times that figure in 2015.

Fenerbahce appear to have distanced themselves from extending Lens’ stay with them after Dick Advocaat left and new manager Aykut Kocaman suggested the player has weight issues and is too heavy to be a winger.

Photo by Deniz Calagan/Getty Images

Reports suggest Sunderland are keen to sell to Feyenoord - who recently landed the Dutch title for the first time this century - because they are willing to pay a fee nearer the Black Cats' valuation. But Lens himself would prefer to stay in Turkey because he can earn more in the Super Lig.