Portugal and Qatar now the best options for Sunderland’s unwanted pair

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Whilst Sunderland have done some solid recruitment this summer, much of the teams rebuilding has also centred around cutting out the rotten remnants of the past.

The Black Cats have shifted plenty of players this summer. The likes of Jack Rodwell, Lamine Kone and Wahbi Khazri simply had to go to balance books and morale.

Another pair that Sunderland would like to be rid of is Papy Djilobodji and Didier Ndong. The duo have never been a hit at the Stadium of Light. Since relegation to League One the pair have been AWOL and Sunderland have been desperate to get rid.

The deadline day for much of the world’s transfer business closed on the 31st and Sunderland saw two late pieces of business for both players fall apart – as reported by the Sunderland Echo.

The same report detailed suggestions from the player’s representatives that they might return to Sunderland for the first part of the season.

That is unlikely to happen given Jack Ross’ new mentality and Sunderland fans would prefer not to see them.

So can Sunderland still shift them?

The options have become slim. In the past, the transfer windows in both Turkey and Russia have remained open longer but both have now fell in line with the rest of Europe.

In all reality, Sunderland have just two options left if they want to shift their unwanted pair. Portugal’s transfer window remains open until the 21st September. Qatar’s is also open, until the 13th.

Other nations include Australia and Mexico, but A-League clubs are unlikely to have the funds for either player and Mexican clubs rarely dip into the European market.

So unless teams from Portugal or Qatar come knocking in the weeks to come, Sunderland are, realistically, stuck with them.