Sunderland are keeping a close watch on Lorient midfielder Arthur Avom with a view to a potential move in the January transfer window or on a free transfer next summer, according to a report by Sunderland Echo journalist Mark Carruthers.
The 21-year-old Cameroonian has made ten appearances for the Ligue 1 club this season without registering a goal or assist, but has impressed with a string of solid displays in central midfield.
Avom's current contract at Lorient runs until the end of the campaign, placing Sunderland in a position to negotiate a cut-price deal in January or secure him for nothing when his deal expires in June.
Primarily a box-to-box midfielder, Avom is also capable of operating as an attacking or holding option. He is described as a strong tackler with good positional sense, able to make crucial interceptions, and a tidy distributor from deep areas.
The report notes that Avom needs to add goals and assists to his game, and questions remain over how smoothly he would adapt to the physical and tactical demands of the Premier League.
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris and director of football Florent Ghisolfi are overseeing recruitment as the club looks to strengthen a midfield department that has shown gaps during a difficult start to the top-flight season.
Avom featured for Cameroon in a FIFA Series match against Australia at Accor Stadium in Sydney on 27 March 2026, gaining international experience that may aid his development.
The Black Cats are expected to decide on formalising their interest in the coming weeks, with the January window opening in less than two months.
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