Ligue 1 side Rennes have publicly insisted they are yet to receive any bids from Sunderland for Swedish forward Ola Toivonen.

According to reports, the Wearside club have already launched a bid to sign the Swedish international, which would set a reunion with his former boss Dick Advocaat - where they enjoyed a successful spell together at PSV Eindhoven previously. 

Toivonen is reportedly surplus to requirements at Rennes, who are keen to sell the 29-year-old just eighteen months after a switch from the Eredivisie to Ligue 1. Last term, he netted an underwhelming seven goals in 35 appearances for the side - and in total he's scored fifteen since his move in January of 2014. 

No bid as of yet

Rennes' manager Philippe Montanier silenced the French media by stating the club have not received any offer for the player when questioned. 

It'd come as somewhat of a surprise if the Black Cats actually were in pursuit of Toivonen - not only because his goal-scoring form is poor but surely there has to be better attacking alternatives than the experienced striker? 

At age 29, admittedly he's not getting any younger. The sheer fact that Rennes deem him not good enough should be a signal in itself, as to why it'd be a risk not worth taking. 

Striking overhaul at the Stadium Of Light?

Connor Wickham has been rumoured to be joining Crystal Palace on a permanent deal, and even if that does not go through, Sunderland need to strengthen in attack. Jermain Defoe is an excellent addition within the ranks but should not have to be carrying the burden of scoring twenty goals a season. 

Danny Graham and Steven Fletcher have been rather lacklustre if not unimpressive since their respective moves up north, and Advocaat cannot rely on one player - instead the team as a whole.

In the pre-season fixtures thus far, Jeremain Lens has already stood out as a player in a different class, so it'd be no surprise if he flourished in the upcoming campaign. But, he's a winger with flair, trickery and a nuisance for defenders to deal with. That's exactly what they need in a direct striker role, and Toivonen is not that man.  

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Mosope Ominiyi
Writer and editor - European football analyst, youth enthusiast. Email: [email protected]