West Brom in talks to sign £1.7m-rated winger with relation to Sunderland manager
West Bromwich Albion are attempting to sign a relative of Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris.
The Baggies are reportedly in talks to sign FC Lorient winger Théo Le Bris, the nephew of Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris, before Friday’s transfer deadline.
The 21-year-old has been a regular in Ligue 1 for the past two and a half seasons, racking up 57 appearances, two goals and four assists. Capable of playing on either flank, across midfield or at full-back, Le Bris, who has a current market value of £1.7 million as per Transfermarkt, could perform a similar role to recent Albion signing Callum Styles.
French publication L’Equipe reports West Brom have a “serious interest” in acquiring Le Bris’ services and have already convinced the player about the project at The Hawthorns. An enquiry was sent to Lorient last week and talks are set to continue throughout the next few days.
But it’s stated that Carlos Corberan is prioritising signing another defensive midfielder first. Before a move goes ahead for Le Bris, Albion want to reinforce in the core of their side following the summer departure of Okay Yokuşlu.
Uroš Račić has already been signed in that position but Corberan wants depth ahead of a tough Championship campaign, with a top-six finish once again the aim. West Brom have lost several key players over recent weeks amid financial struggles and are doing all they can to bring in astute signings to plug gaps.
If Le Bris joins, he will become Albion’s 10th acquisition of the summer window after Styles, Račić, Torbjorn Heggem, Gianluca Frabotta, Devante Cole, Ousmane Diakite, Joe Wildsmith, Paddy McNair and Lewis Dobbin.