If a recent report from the French outlet Media Foot is believed to be true, Sunderland have reignited interest in Matthis Abline ahead of a potential January move. The Black Cats were one of several sides keen on having him in the summer. However, FC Nantes owner Waldemar Kita slapped a €50m price tag on the star attacker, and the rumoured suitors, primarily Olympique Marseille, opted out of the race in the wake of the astronomical valuation.
Meanwhile, the Canaries’ battle for survival every season could now see Abline force an exit to meet his career aspirations. The Wearsiders have a strong French contingent of players like Nordi Mukiele, Enzo Le Fée, Wilson Isidor, and Eliezer Mayenda, managed by Regis Le Bris under the ownership of Swiss-French businessman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus. Their hunt in Ligue 1 might continue with the arrival of the 22-year-old France youth international.
Rise In French Football
Born in Angers, the young forward progressed through the academy ranks of Landemontais, Carquefou and Rennes before breaking into the latter’s senior squad following a brief yet productive stint for their reserves in the lower division.
The lack of regular gametime led to him being loaned out to Le Havre, Auxerre, and Nantes, respectively. Kita saw great potential in the Frenchman and, therefore, splashed a club-record fee of €12m to convert the loan into a permanent transfer.
Despite showing his flexibility across the frontline, Abline has mostly operated from the left so far this term. He featured regularly as a centre-forward throughout the 2024-25 season, having scored 11 goals in 36 appearances across competitions. But his 4 goals and 5 assists in 18 games demonstrate his adaptability and resilience as an inverted winger [stats via Transfermarket].
Why Abline Fits In Le Bris’s Sunderland Project
Abline’s flexibility would bolster Le Bris’s options high up the pitch. The French boss has been backed in the summer with Chemsdine Talbi, Simon Adingra and Bertrand Traoré among wide attacking options. Also, the versatile Le Fee and Romaine Mundle offer depth, quality and flexibility down the flanks in their 4-2-3-1 setup. Isidor, Mayenda and the summer recruit Brian Brobbey are challenging each other for the ‘number 9’ spot, yet the Black Cats are ready to grab such market opportunities, having done so since their Premier League promotion.
Sunderland, who were expected to fight for survival like fellow newcomers Burnley and Leeds United, are heading towards a top-half finish. Despite a tricky run midway through the season, they have ground out results against the traditional ‘top six’. Abline holds all the traits to script a success story as part of Le Bris’ long-term project at the Stadium of Light.
