Sunderland are allegedly interested in signing Fulham midfielder Neeskens Kebano this summer.
That’s according to Africafootunited, who claim the Black Cats could look to swoop for the 31-year-old as his current deal at Craven Cottage comes to an end.
Kebano joined Fulham in 2016 and was a regular fixture in their team during their time in the Championship. And Sunderland will be looking for more after falling just short this year.
The Congo international became a fan favourite over the years, netting two free-kicks during their 2020 play-off campaign that saw them earn promotion to the Premier League.
Kebano saw his playing time falter this season when he was sidelined with a ruptured Achilles tendon back in November, leaving him limited to only nine starts in the top flight.
Fulham are yet to confirm their retained list, and it remains unclear whether the 31-year-old will be offered fresh terms to extend his stay at the club.
Is Neeskens Kebano the player Sunderland are looking for?
Kebano could look to leave Fulham in search of regular first time football this summer. However, a move for the midfielder certainly wouldn’t line up with the Black Cats’ current transfer policy.
Tony Mowbray’s side have been known to snap up youth players from top clubs and turn them into promising stars, such as Jack Clarke, Amad Diallo and Daniel Ballard.
Kebano would be one of few experienced players that Sunderland have signed since Kyril Louis-Dreyfus took over the club, yet his stats in the second tier could be tempting.
The African bagged nine goals and six assists last season and undoubtedly knows the league very well, but there are questions to be asked over whether he would reach the levels of their current crop.
With The Sun’s Alan Nixon reporting that Burnley are targeting Jack Clarke, it seems unlikely that Kebano would be a reasonable replacement for the former Tottenham Hotspur winger if considered.
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