French side Lyon are reported to be keeping tabs on Sunderland midfielder Didier Ndong.The 23-year-old midfielder - who joined Sunderland from Lorient last summer for a club record £13.6million fee - has started the Championship campaign well and his performances have caught the eye with Lyon linked with a move for him by L'Équipe. Ndong isn't their number one target, though. Pape Cheikh Diop - who has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotpsur - is their number one target and there are reports Lyon have made a bid for the Celta Vigo midfielder. Diop is reported to favour a move to London and if Lyon's move does not materialise, Ndong is reported to be on a list of potential targets for Lyon. Sunderland have overseen a major summer overhaul this summer following relegation from the Premier League with the likes of Jermain Defoe, Jordan Pickford, Vito Mannone and Fabio Borini all moving on. The Black Cats have so far signed seven players this summer with the hard work continuing behind the scenes to bring in further new faces. The transfer window doesn't close until August 31 and Grayson last night again reiterated his stance that it should close before the season kicks off - with the issue a hot topic nationally. Grayson, speaking after the 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, added: "100 per cent I want to see it close [before the season starts], I have been on about it for several years. "I think it is totally against what you are trying to do as a manager, you are trying to get your group together and want to know where you are. "We have talked about this over the past few weeks, we are vulnerable to players leaving as every other club in the country and Europe is too. "Hopefully it comes in sooner rather than later."
Everyone is for sale though technically. This would be a blow though as Cattermole and Ndong are head and shoulders above any other pairing in this league and give our back 4 great protection. Both have good energy and passing ability too which Rodwell and Gibson lack.
Yeah I know it doesn't mean much because everyone is for sale but I'm just thinking there's a chance that Grayson might have a say in it too, you'd like to think so as the manager. I agree that Catts and Ndong are a good pairing and will only get better.
£1m loan with an 'option' to buy knowing us. They should have plenty of that Lacazatte money to spend
Them lot on the continent always seem to want something for nowt. This is a player who should make profit down the line. Just one promotion and his price will shoot up with inflation. Plays well when we come up and we're talking good profit. Think we'll let anyone go who meets our valuation but this is a player I think we don't need to take a loss on just yet.
It certainly would be disastrous but if SG wants him to stay I think N'Dong will stay as I am sure he is enjoying his football and the positivity at the club .. this is me trying to argue a positive outcome )
We paid top dollar for him, so we would be wanting that back I would be very surprised if such an offer is forthcoming, and hope that this does not unsettle him
I don't think we will sell N'Dong for less than what we paid, and we won't get that. He should be kept anyway he's potentially a cracking player.
As I said to my lad last night... NDong & Catts will eat this division up. Plenty more physical challenges are acceptable and that extra second of time makes a huge difference. NDong seems to have been given a much more forward role (1st half) which he seemed to thrive in. It's essential that we keep both imo.
