Sunderland reportedly made an offer for former Liverpool star Naby Keita during the summer transfer window.
The Black Cats are said to have held an interest in the midfielder, who left Anfield in the summer of 2023 to join German side Werder Bremen.
Keita had a difficult year at the Bundesliga club, with the injuries that plighted him at Liverpool also affecting him last season – making just five appearances in all competitions.
The Guardian have reported that Sunderland – currently top of the Championship – made an offer for the 29-year-old Guinean international.
However, they could not come to terms on a deal with the midfielder, who instead looks set to be moving to Turkey.
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita was reportedly in talks over a move to Sunderland
Keita was part of Liverpool’s title winning squad and left the club in the summer of 2023
Keita though has struggled at Werder Bremen and could be on his way to Istanbul Basaksehir
Sunderland have made a strong start to the season and currently top the Championshi
Keita is in talks with Istanbul Basaksehir and has plenty of time to complete a deal, with the Turkish transfer deadline not until September 13.
Sunderland did strengthen their midfield in the summer with the deadline day arrival of Salis Abdul Samed from Lens and Alan Browne on a free transfer.
There had been high hopes for Keita after he arrived at Anfield on a £48m deal from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2018.
However, persistent injury and fitness issues meant he made just 84 Premier League appearances across his five years at the club.
However, he did win six trophies during his time at Anfield including the Premier League and Champions League.
Current club Werder Bremen took the decision to suspend Keita during the closing stages of last season after the player refused to travel to a match with his teammates upon being told that he would not be included in the starting XI.
At the time, Clemens Fritz, Bremen’s head of professional football, said: ‘As a club, we won’t tolerate Naby’s behaviour.
‘He let his team down in a time of difficulty surrounding our recent run of form and squad availability and put his own interests above those of the team. We can’t allow that.
‘At this stage of the season, we need full focus on the remaining games and a team who stick together. That’s why we’ve been left with no alternative.’