Sunderland set to sanction midfielder transfer exit to European outfit | OneFootball

Abdoullah Ba is set for a loan to Ligue 2 side USL Dunkerque from Sunderland.

Sunderland winger Abdoullah Ba looks set to leave the Stadium of Light in the coming hours, with Ligue 2 side Dunkerque set to sign him.

Having played and started in just one game in the EFL Cup this term against Preston North End, Ba has been out of favour under Regis Le Bris and a loan switch could now be on the cards for the 21-year-old amid reports emerging from French outlet L'Equipe.

Ba joined Sunderland from French side Le Havre in the summer of 2022, and his performances were one of few positives for the Black Cats last season in a disappointing campaign that saw them finish 16th in the table. However, Ba has surprisingly fallen out of favour since head coach Regis Le Bris' arrival in the summer.

Making just one appearance in the EFL Cup so far this season, and he has been in just six matchday squads in the league this term. Having signed Ian Poveda from Leeds United on a free transfer, Ba was always going to be up against it when fighting for a place on the right-wing.

Poveda has been sidelined for much of the campaign, but with Patrick Roberts an established first-team player, it leaves the 21-year-old as third choice in that position, with Eliezer Mayenda also preferred to deputise out wide over Ba.

Abdoullah Ba set for Sunderland exit before the deadline

After months of speculation over his future, Le Bris confirmed that Ba would be allowed to depart in January, along with fellow out-of-favour duo Adil Aouchiche and Nazariy Rusyn.

"There are players who haven’t really been involved who could maybe leave in January," Le Bris told The Northern Echo.

"If you don’t have the opportunity to play, and you have an option with another club that is good for your development, then sometimes that is a good option to take and move on.

"We will see what happens. We have to be mindful of the balance of the team and the squad."

Ba has failed to impress him or make an impact this campaign despite being a regular in the Sunderland side last season. The wide forward has dropped down the pecking order under Le Bris, and must be deemed surplus to requirements.

Now, the latest comes via L'Equipe, with the Ligue 2 club aiming to sign him as they look to give themselves every chance of succeeding in their mission to gain promotion to Ligue 1. Dunkerque have eyed the versatile winger or attacking midfielder on loan.

Ba remains under contract until 2027 at the Stadium of Light. and has 68 Championship appearances under his belt. He will hope to develop with regular minutes for the second division French side.

Abdoullah Ba needs to develop away from Sunderland

As Ba is clearly not part of Le Bris' plans, it seems unlikely that he will feature over the coming months despite the injury crisis out wide that hit Sunderland in recent months.

A move for Ba seems in the best interests of all parties, considering he is rotting away on the sidelines. Whether that be a permanent or loan, the primary objective for the player must be minutes on the pitch.

If the club can receive a reasonable fee for the player, then it will likely be enough to sell, but a loan move would also be good for his development, considering he is only 21.

It's unclear if Dunkerque have an option to buy or if it is a straight loan, but if he can develop and perform well, then it serves Sunderland well ahead of a potential sale in the summer instead.