Sunderland are pursuing a deal for Bournemouth winger Max Gradel.
Sunderland boss Simon Grayson has already tied up two deals since becoming Black Cats boss last month, with Everton defender Brendan Galloway and Tyias Browning arriving on loan.
More deals will be needed to rebuild a Sunderland squad looking to bounce back from relegation, and Grayson appears to be targeting more reunions having already signed Browning – a player he worked with at Preston.
Liverpool’s Sheyi Ojo in action with Bournemouth’s Max Gradel
The Daily Mail report that Sunderland are pursing Bournemouth winger Max Gradel, who Grayson signed for Leeds initially on loan in 2009, and then on a permanent basis in 2010.
The Ivorian winger hit 25 goals in 85 games under Grayson, before earning a move to Saint-Etienne in 2011, where his 31 goals in 115 appearances earned him a 2015 switch back to England with Bournemouth.
Since heading to the South Coast, Gradel has struggled for playing time having suffered a major knee injury in August 2015, and a move to play under Grayson again could be ideal for the pacey wide man.
Grayson’s admiration for Gradel was evident in 2011, as just a month before the winger’s move to Saint-Etienne, he was quoted by The Telegraph and Argus as saying that he was desperate to keep the winger at Elland Road.
Simon Grayson
Six years on, Grayson now appears just as determined to work with Gradel once again, and a reunion with Sunderland could be close amid claims that a deal could accelerate this week.
Having endured a nightmare spell with Bournemouth, Gradel needs to play regularly and under a manager who has confidence in him – and Grayson could just be the perfect man to get the best out of Gradel once again.
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