Sunderland’s attempt to secure the signature of last season’s loanee Yann M'Vila has stalled over recent weeks, with his parent club Rubin Kazan demanding an extortionate fee for the player, even though he only has six months remaining on his contract.
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has prioritised the midfielder as one of his number one summer transfer targets, but a number of obstacles have prevented M’Vila from re-joining Sunderland on a permanent basis. M’Vila himself has made it clear he would like to sign on a permanent basis in a recent interview. The Frenchman said: “I want Sunderland not another club but the choice is Sunderland.”
Significant role in Sunderland's survival
The 26-year-old played a major part in the Black Cats relegation survival last campaign, playing in 37 out of the 38 games. But Kazan have made it clear he is surplus to requirements when they did not include him in the squad that flew out to Austria for a pre-season training camp.
M’Vila has been given permission to return to his homeland, but Kazan have claimed this is due to an issue with his visa. There have been reports within the French media that M’Vila and his team-mate Chris Mavinga, who also spent last season out on loan, aren’t happy with being left to train alone or the training facilities at the club.
If the midfielder is to join Sunderland, he will no doubt have to take a pay cut from his current weekly wage of £100,000. The Black Cats will have to be patient with the financially secure Russian club, who will be prepared to play hard ball over the transfer fee.
M’Vila himself was won over on Wearside and declared publicly that he wanted to continue his good form and stay on at the Stadium of Light.