Sunderland face lengthy negotiations to agree transfer fee for Yann M'Vila

Last season’s loanee M’Vila is now back in Russia after ironing out the visa issues which had delayed his return to parent club Kazan earlier this week.

But M’Vila’s stint in Russia is expected to be brief, with all parties agreeing that the Frenchman will leave the club this summer, and Sunderland eager to bring him back to the Stadium of Light.

However, despite a permanent clause in M’Vila’s loan agreement, Sunderland are renegotiating over the asking price and the talks with Kazan could take several weeks before reaching a satisfactory conclusion.

Both Sunderland and M’Vila had hoped that with only six months remaining on his contract, Kazan would agree to terminate his deal early by mutual consent.

But the Echo understands that Kazan have rejected that proposal and want a hefty transfer fee for M’Vila. They are not under any pressure to sell either, with the club in a position of financial strength.

Sunderland are confident that they will eventually find common ground to re-sign M’Vila, with the midfielder himself making no secret of his desire to rejoin the Black Cats after thoroughly enjoying his season-long loan in the Premier League.

M’Vila’s return to Russia is no signal of a second chance at Kazan either, with new boss Javi Gracia insisting that every player – even those who spent last season out on loan – report for the start of pre-season training.

And when asked about those whose future seems destined to be away from Kazan, Gracia was evasive about the club’s plans, saying he “did not know the situation”.

Meanwhile, Sunderland have NO interest in FC Twente’s attacking midfielder Hakim Ziyech, the Echo understands.

Sam Allardyce is keen to add an attacking midfielder to his squad this summer, as one of five priority positions that the Sunderland boss wants to address.

Speculation earlier this week suggested that Moroccan international Ziyech could fill that void after netting 28 goals in the Dutch league during the last two seasons at Twente.

However, Sunderland sources have indicated that Ziyech is not a player that the Black Cats are tracking as Allardyce looks at options to boost his squad.