Sunderland and Leeds are reportedly set to miss out on Max Gradel.
According to The Sun, Leeds United and Sunderland are set to miss out on Bournemouth winger Max Gradel, as he closes in on a move back to France.
Gradel, 29, was seen as a major signing for Bournemouth in the summer of 2015, as the Cherries swooped to sign him following a superb spell in France with Saint-Etienne, where he hit 31 goals in 115 games.
Bournemouth’s Max Gradel in action with Preston North End’s Chris Maxwell
The Ivorian international has suffered a dismal stint on the South Coast though, as he suffered a serious knee injury in August 2015, and has made just 25 appearances in all competitions under Eddie Howe.
Gradel is now expected to move on this summer in order to play first-team football elsewhere, and Sunderland – managed by Gradel’s former Leeds boss Simon Grayson – had been hoping to sign him following their relegation to the Championship.
However, The Sun report that Sunderland – and Leeds themselves, who were allegedly interested in re-signing Gradel – are set to be frustrated in the pursuit of the winger as he is set for a move back to France.
Nantes and Toulouse are allegedly leading the race to sign Gradel, who appears to be prefering a move back to Ligue 1, having impressed so much in France with Saint-Etienne.
Bournemouth’s Max Gradel in action with West Brom’s Craig Dawson
That will be a huge frustration for Sunderland boss Grayson, who is looking to boost his attacking options ahead of the Championship season, and will have been banking on a reunion with his former winger.
Meanwhile, Leeds may have made a tentative pursuit of Gradel, but with the likes of Stuart Dallas, Hadi Sacko and Kemar Roofe already at Thomas Christiansen’s disposal, the Whites may feel comfortable with their options out wide.
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