Benfica have contacted Sunderland about a potential transfer deal, according to reports emerging from Portugal.

Sunderland outcast Ndong is wanted by Benfica, Portuguese media outlet A Bola reports.

Benfica have missed out on Brazilian duo Ramires and Gabriel, so they have now turned their attention to Sunderland's Ndong.

They have already made contact with the North East outfit over a potential move for the 24-year-old.

The Gabon international joined Sunderland in summer 2016 for a club-record fee of £13.6m plus add-ons but he could not prevent them dropping to the Championship and then suffering relegation again the following year to League One.

Last January, he earned a loan move to Watford in the Premier League but did not play a single match for the Hornets.

Benfica are able to offer Ndong Champions League football, provided they beat PAOK in the qualifying round.

The Verdict

Sunderland will not stand in Ndong's way as they are desperately trying to flog their record signing.

His wages are not tenable in League One and with the new era starting under Jack Ross, it is time to offload the players involved in back-to-back demotions.

Ndong will probably be a success on the continent but his time in England has been a disaster.

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