Sunderland have made a bid for Jeremain Lens, according to ESPN.

Lens is currently with Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine, but manager Dick Advocaat is keen to recruit his compatriot in order to bolster Sunderland's attacking options as they look to have a more successful 2015/16 campaign, having only just survived relegation once again this year.

Advocaat knows the player well from his days in charge of both AZ Alkmaar and PSV Eindhoven back in the Netherlands, and believes he possesses the talent going forward that Sunderland currently lack.

Jordi Gomez and Connor Wickham were the Black Cats' top scorers in 2014/15, with six goals each in all competitions, whilst January signing Jermain Defoe managed five, whereas Lens netted five himself and provided 11 assists in the Ukranian Premier League this past season.

With the ability to play as either a central striker or as a wide player, Lens could bring versatility to Sunderland's attack, boasting pace, creativity and composure in front of goal to go with this.

The 27-year-old began his professional career with AZ, coming through their youth ranks before making his debut for them in 2006 as a 19-year-old. In his final season with the club, he was under Advocaat's charge and managed 12 goals in 20 league starts - a tally that earned him a switch to Dutch giants PSV.

He would again by reunited with Advocaat here, again in his final season with them, and he once more recorded his best goal-scoring total for the club with 15 strikes in 30 games. The manager clearly brings the best out of Lens and this could persuade the attacker to join him in the North West of England.

The fact that the Netherlands' international is yet to test himself in one of Europe's top five leagues could again play a part in his decision, with him unlikely to be given many more chances as he enters his late 20s.

Still, it will take some price for Kyiv to part with a man who contributed to 16 of their league goals last year. Reports elsewhere currently indicate that the fee tabled is around £8 million, but ESPN did not state a figure themselves.

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About the author
Amee Ruszkai
Head of the Sunderland, Swansea City and women football sections at VAVEL UK. Email: [email protected]