Sunderland now look set to announce their first signing of the January transfer window. And against all odds, it looks set to be the signing of Roma midfielder Enzo Le Fee.
Sunderland have been courting Enzo Le Fee in the last few days as the Black Cats look to get underway in this January transfer window.
And there’s already been a lot of back and forth over a deal for the 24-year-old Frenchman, who spent several years playing under Regis Le Bris at Lorient in their youth system and then the first team.
Le Fee pulled out of a move to Real Betis at the start of the week. Then it was revealed that Sunderland had held positive talks with Le Fee, before Lille’s interest in the midfielder was then revealed.
It was thought that Le Fee wanted preferred a return to France and a Sunderland deal for the £19million Roma man was hanging in the balance. But it looks like a deal is now done.
‘Deal closed’ for Sunderland to sign Enzo Le Fee
Italian journalist Eleonora Trotta, who writes for Calcio Mercato in Italy, posted on X ‘deal closed’ for Le Fee to join Sunderland on loan. Trotta goes on to add that the deal will have an obligation to buy in the event of Sunderland earning promotion to the Premier League.
Le Fee will become Sunderland’s first signing of the January transfer window and it’s a hugely exciting one too. Roma forked out close to £20 million to sign the Frenchman from Rennes during the summer, although he’s managed just six Serie A appearances since.
Nevertheless, for a Championship club, Le Fee feels like a massive signing, and it’ll really bolster the Black Cats’ promotion push this season.
#LeFée al #Sunderland, affare in chiusura. La formula è quella del prestito con obbligo di riscatto in caso di #PremierLeague https://t.co/Pnry8ofj4E
— Eleonora Trotta (@eleonora_trotta) January 8, 2025
Sunderland may have agreed to a permanent fee with Roma
Shortly before Trotta’s update, Keith Downie posted on X to reveal that Sunderland and Roma were still finalising a permanent fee for Sunderland to possibly sign Le Fee next summer.
But Trotta’s latest update may suggest that Sunderland and Roma have since come to an agreement, though what the fee is remains to be seen.
Transfer stories move very quickly in football and that’s certainly been the case with Le Fee to Sunderland. On the whole, though, it’s an amazing coup for the Black Cats.
