Newly promoted Premier League club Sunderland has reportedly submitted a bid of €20 million for Nantes forward Matthis Abline.
The Black Cats secured promotion to the Premier League by winning the Championship playoff final last season.
Sunderland are actively pursuing signings in the transfer window, despite losing midfielder Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund.
Reports suggest Enzo Le Fee`s deal has been made permanent, and Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra is said to be close to becoming a new Black Cats player.
Sunderland recognizes the need for a prolific goalscorer to aid their Premier League survival bid and are once again looking at the French top flight for options.
According to reports from French outlet Foot Mercato, Sunderland has submitted a €20 million offer to Ligue 1 club Nantes for Abline.
Regis Le Bris, who coached in the French top flight before joining Sunderland, has reportedly shown a preference for signing Ligue 1 players.
The France Under-21 international Matthis Abline could leave Nantes this summer, but Sunderland`s €20 million bid is reportedly considered insufficient.
The 22-year-old Abline featured in 36 games across all competitions for Nantes (`Les Canaris`) last season, contributing to 13 goals (scoring or assisting).
His versatility across the frontline is a trait that has attracted the newly-promoted English club.
While the Black Cats were previously linked with Dynamo Kyiv`s Vladyslav Vanat, it appears Abline is now considered their primary target.
Attention now turns to Nantes to see how the Ligue 1 club will respond to Sunderland`s offer for their highly-rated striker.
