Yann M’Vila, an experienced French midfielder, is expected to join West Bromwich Albion after his transfer to Sunderland failed in recent weeks.
The French newspaper Foot Mercato claims that negotiations to recruit the former Black Cats star are underway between the Baggies and the player.
M’Vila was reportedly a target for Sunderland last month, according to Foot Mercato, and conversations had taken place. However, the rumors quickly subsided, at least until the Baggies put their name in the hat to sign the midfield player this week.
A switch to the Baggies would enrage some Sunderland supporters, and the Black Cats might soon regret not signing a popular former player.
Sunderland not signing M’Vila could come back to haunt them
Sunderland supporter Jack Austwicke of FLW believes his team lost out by not going after M’Vila on a free transfer. He also believes that their inaction may come back to haunt them because M’Vila appears to be heading to West Brom in the near future.
“I think he’d have done a job for us,” Jack told Football League World.
“I mean, his wages might have been a bit much – he has come out and said he wouldn’t mind too much because of the love he has for a club like Sunderland.
“I think I am disappointed to miss out, especially with the news that West Brom are apparently looking at signing him.
“They are a club who obviously don’t have the biggest financial resources with their ownership and whatnot.
“It’s strange – I don’t get why we haven’t gone for him, or at least challenged them.
“It looks like he could be signing for West Brom now, so I think we’ve missed out and it could come back to bite us.
“I don’t really see why we couldn’t have competed with that, but it is what it is and we need to move on now.”
M’Vila would have contributed much to the Stadium of Light
M’Vila is a player who Sunderland may have regretted not signing since, had he signed, he would have added some crucial experience that the team has been lacking this season.
M’Vila stated that Sunderland would be the only non-top flight team he would sign after being released by Olympiacos, but he has forced to consider other possibilities after the deal fell through.
He had previously joined the team on loan in the Premier League, having come from Rubin Kazan during the 2015–16 campaign. He was a standout player during that campaign, and by the time his time was up, the fans were calling for a permanent move to Wearside.
The Frenchman has always had a positive attitude about his time at Sunderland, even though a permanent contract for him fell through, and he was poised to return to the Black Cats.
To the surprise of some supporters, though, it doesn’t seem like Sunderland is interested in signing him.
Despite being 33 years old, M’Vila has been playing frequently in Greece for the previous few years and is still capable of providing support to the midfield for the squad.
His experience may have been crucial to Sunderland’s challenge for the top six in the next four months of the season, given that they are one of the youngest sides in the Championship, especially in light of the loss of seasoned midfielder Alex Pritchard during the summer window.
And with West Brom leading the Black Cats in the standings, M’Vila’s arrival might be the difference that keeps them ahead of their rivals for promotion and a top six finish.
Should this come to pass, Sunderland will bitterly regret rejecting a youngster who has shown such a strong desire to play for the team.