The striker was very close to joining the Black Cats this summer according to his agent.
The agent of Franck Kessie has admitted to Calciomercato that his client was very close to signing for Sunderland in the transfer window.
The Black Cats were busy in the summer as David Moyes looked to add to his squad after taking over from Sam Allardyce.
Adding another striker to his squad was of chief importance given how heavily they relied upon veteran forward Jermain Defoe last season.
They failed to do so and waited until the window closed to bring in Victor Anichebe on a free transfer.
It appears they were close to making a signing, though, with Kessie’s agent revealing a deal to join the Black Cats was all completed before the Premier League stopped it happening.
“I can confirm now. It was all done, but the transfer was not possible for a regulation of the Premier League,” he told Calciomercato.
“He does not meet the 75% attendance for the national team for a single appearance. He has made four and would need five to be welcomed in the Premier League. Then he went as we all know.”
It will be interesting to see if Sunderland make a return for Kessie in the January transfer window.
He has started the season on fire for Atalanta, with four goals in three games so far showing just why Moyes was so keen on his signature.
If he maintains that kind of form and the Black Cats’ other forwards fail to adequately back up Defoe then it would not be surprising to see the Scot target him once again.
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