Sunderland fans could very disappointed for a number of reasons if fan-favourite Yann M’Vila makes the move to West Bromwich Albion this season.
The experienced French midfielder has been a free agent since being released by Greek side Olympiacos in December, and was linked with a move to Sunderland during the January transfer window.
Despite proclaiming his intention to rejoin his former side, a move back to the Stadium of Light never materialsed, and the midfielder remained without a club when the transfer window slammed shut.
However, he has been recently linked with a free transfer to West Brom, which is a move that could disappoint fans of the Black Cats for a number of reasons, should the deal go through before the end of the season.
M’Vila is linked with a move to West Brom
Recent reports linked West Brom with a former for the former France international, with a free transfer for the free agent possible outside of the transfer window.
The Baggies are reportedly in talks to sign the former Black Cats player, according to French publication Foot Mercato, amid recent interest from Sunderland to sign the midfielder.
Mick Beale’s side had previously been linked with a move for the player, with M’Vila himself claiming that he would be happy to drop down to the second division to rejoin his former club.
With the Black Cats looking like they’re out of the race to bring him back to the Stadium of Light, West Brom making a move for the 33-year-old could be a coup that Sunderland fans will not be pleased with.
Sunderland fans will bemoan missing out on signing the Frenchman again
The Frenchman spent a year on loan at the Stadium of Light in 2016, and was a fan-favourite at the club. Even when a permanent deal fell through under David Moyes, the player still declared his love for the club and how he would love to join them in the Championship this season.
With the Black Cats still challenging for promotion to the Premier League, the addition of the 33-year-old could be huge for them.
They have the youngest squad in the Championship at the moment, and after losing Alex Pritchard to Birmingham City, they could do with an experienced head to lead their young side.
Despite his age, M’Vila has continued to be active in the top divisions in Europe. He was key player in the Olympiacos team during his three year spell in Greece, starting 61 of 69 games he played in the league.
He missed just nine matches during his time in Greece, which is a fantastic record for a player in his mid-30s who played 31 times last year. His average game time of 82 minutes should dispel any myths that he will not be able to pull his weight at the Hawthorns if the deal does go through.
With good tackling and passing accuracy, as well as zero errors leading to goals all season, M’Vila looks like a reliable midfielder to help keep the Baggies ticking along in the midfield, leaving the attack players room to go forward and score goals.
| Yann M’Villa stats 2022/23 – SofaScore | |
| Matches | 31 |
| Minutes per game | 82 |
| Tackles per match | 1.2 |
| Interceptions per match | 1.7 |
| Accurate passes per game | 52.6 (89%) |
| Errors leading to goals | 0 |
He is also a player that West Brom boss Carlos Corberan knows well. Corberan confirmed the club’s interestin the midfielder recently, citing his previous relationship while working together at Olympiacos as one of the reasons he wanted to sign the player.
Speaking with the BBC, he said: “He’s a player the club is working on to see if we can add him. We want to keep improving to finish the season in the best possible position.
“All clubs look for players, but when you know someone, you have an advantage, as you know his character and personality. I got to know him at Olympiakos for a short period of time and he made a positive impression on me.”
Clearly, he thinks that M’Vila is a personality that would fit in well at the Baggies. Sunderland have seemingly decided against signing him, despite also knowing him from his loan spell at the club eight years ago.
While his age could be seen as a negative, the experience he could bring to West Brom could help them keep their form up until the end of the current campaign.
With no issues with fitness, vast experience at the top level of football and a fantastic attitude, it is no wonder why West Brom want to add him to their squad before the season concludes.
If he does join them, the move could be quite the kick in the teeth for the Black Cats.
Not only would they be missing out on a fan-favourite player, who has claimed he will take a pay cut to come back to the club, but they would be losing him to a play-off rival.
This double whammy will cut deep if the move turns out to be a positive one for the Baggies, and their would be no worse sight that M’Vila leading West Brom to the Premier League, at the expense of his former club Sunderland.
It is a shock they have turned down a man who clearly loves the club so much, and it is a decision Sunderland could come to regret, come the summer.
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