Sunderland set to complete signing of Ligue 1 youngster 'within hours'

Sunderland could soon conclude a deal for Isaac Lihadji with the Frenchman absent from Lille training on Wednesday to finalise his future.

The Black Cats have been pursuing the winger throughout January, with Lille also keen to bring an end to his disappointing time at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

According to La Voix Du Nord, the deal is likely to be completed very quickly from this point.

Lihadji was once seen as one of the top prodigies in French football after starring at the under-17 World Cup in 2019 shortly after making his Marseille debut in Ligue 1.

He has lost his way since then, though. A contract dispute forced him out of Marseille, which was owned at the time by the Louis-Dreyfus family.