Bournemouth winger Max Gradel is poised to snub Sunderland for Nantes or Toulouse
Black Cats chief Simon Grayson faces disappointment after making the Ivory Coast star one of his top summer targets
SUNDERLAND are set to lose the race for Max Gradel as the winger is heading to France.
The Bournemouth winger was one of Simon Grayson’s top targets after getting appointed at the Stadium of Light.
But Gradel, 29, now looks likely to join Nantes or Toulouse instead of staying in England.
The Black Cats had a bid rejected that would have seen Gradel join on loan with an option to buy at the end of next season.
There was also interest from ex-club Leeds, where he worked with Grayson before leaving for St Etienne.
Hull also registered interest in the last transfer window but Gradel has looked at options abroad as thrashing out a deal to stay in England has proved difficult.
The Ivory Coast star only signed a new four-year deal a year ago at Dean Court after returning from a knee injury and impressing.
He was meant to be in Eddie Howe’s plans last season but all of his Premier League appearances came off the bench.
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