Impressive performances for Sunderland means West Ham target Didier Ndong is most likely to be the next player to leave the Stadium f Light.
Fans look on as players warm up ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Derby County.
With the transfer window having now shut, clubs whose players are coveted can breathe a sigh of relief – until January at least.
It certainly signalled a big summer of change for Sunderland following their relegation from the Premier League, with 13 players leaving the Stadium of Light and 10 more brought in.
Sunderland manager Simon Grayson.
Yet not everyone expected to depart actually made a move, with perhaps the biggest surprise being Didier Ndong; someone who became the Black Cats’ record signing in 2016 when he joined from Lorient for £13.6m (BBC).
The midfielder was strongly linked with an exit, with the Independent reporting West Ham United had emerged as late contenders for his signature, along with Leicester City.
Didier Ndong of Sunderland and Callum Reilly of Bury in action during the Carabao Cup First Round.
While that potential switch to the London Stadium didn’t materialise, Ndong’s strong performances so far in the Championship this season suggests that it may not be too long before clubs come calling again.
Financial difficulty at the North East side would make turning down a lucrative offer for one their top earners hard to turn down as well, so fans may have to enjoy the impressive displays of the 23-year-old while they can.
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