Premier League new boys Cardiff City linked with move for Didier Ndong

Didier Ndong of Sunderland tackled by Emre Can of Liverpool during the Premier League match at the Anfield Stadium, Liverpool. Picture date: November 26th, 2016. Pic Simon Bellis/Sportimage via PA Images

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday May 31, 2018. 12:29

Sunderland’s Gabonese midfielder Didier Ndong looks set to leave the club before the start of next season, with Cardiff City mentioned as a possible destination.

The 23-year-old signed for the Black Cats in August 2016 on a five-year deal, but has struggled to establish himself at the Stadium of Light.

In fact, Sunderland sent Ndong on loan to Watford in January this year, with an option for the Hornets to make the deal permanent.

However, the Gabonese player didn’t make a single appearance for the Hornets, and they have refused the chance to trigger the clause which would have extended his stay at Vicarage Road.

With Sunderland having suffered relegation from the EFL Championship to League One at the end of the 2017/18 campaign, they will be looking to shed high-earning players.

Ndong, who was bought for £18million [excluding add-ons] from French Ligue 1 side Lorient, certainly falls into this category.

The Watford Observer reports that Cardiff City, who finished as runners-up to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the EFL Championship to earn promotion to the English top flight, are keen on signing the midfielder.

Foot Mercato add that Ndong has contacts in Italy and a move to Serie A is also an option.

Either way, the West African midfielder seems destined for a move away from the North-East of England before 2018/19 and Sunderland will be lucky to recoup a significant portion of the high transfer fee they paid for him in 2016.