Sunderland’s Alfred N’Diaye is edging closer to a return to Turkish football after Eskisehirspor’s vice-president confirmed the two clubs were in advanced negotiations.
N’Diaye, 23, joined the Black Cats in January from Bursaspor for a fee in the region of £3.7million and started fifteen games during his first six months on Wearside. Brought to the Premier League by Martin O’Neill, N’Diaye now looks set to be leaving the Stadium of Light under Italian manager Paolo Di Canio.
“We have started negotiations with N’Diaye and currently, talks are progressing in a smooth way,” Eskisehirspor vice-president Mehmet Akman told Hurriyet Spor “We believe that this transfer will take place.”
Also confirming interest from rival clubs, one of whom is believed to be Besiktas, N’Diaye will depart Wearside initially on loan with a view to a permanent deal that could earn the club up to £5million.
Meanwhile club captain John O’Shea has revealed his excitement at the influx of new arrivals at the club, and hopes it will eradicate any threat of relegation.
The most active Premier League team in the transfer market this summer, Paolo Di Canio has signed eight first team players as he looks to dramatically reshape his playing squad, with Argentine defender Gino Peruzzi on the verge of becoming the club’s ninth new addition.
In need of reinforcements after a disappointing league campaign that saw the club only narrowly avoid relegation and finish 17th in the Premier League table, O’Shea revealed he is optimistic that the club will avoid a repeat performance during Paolo Di Canio’s first full season in charge..
“It (competition) has increased from last season and hopefully we are looking to be nowhere near last season’s position and to make sure we are comfortably surviving in the Premier League,” O’Shea told the Sunderland Echo.
“We hope the new lads settle in very quickly because the start of the season soon comes round. We have had 10 to 11 days in Italy before here so we have had a good base built up over there.
“So we are hoping for some very competitive games to look forward to in Hong Kong. Tottenham will be a fantastic test. We had a couple of good games against them last season, especially the final match of the season where it was 0-0 until a certain Mr Bale intervened in the last couple of minutes!
“It will be a good test to see where we are fitness-wise but it will be good to get to see some fans out in Hong Kong too. We hope to put on a good show for these fans who cannot come over to see the Premier League.”