Fulham manager Kit Symons has revealed out-of-favour striker Kostas Mitroglou is close to securing a move to Portuguese Primeira Liga champions S.L. Benfica.
The Greece international, who joined Fulham from Olympiakos for a fee believed to be in the region of £12 million in January 2014, has made it clear he does not want to play in the Sky Bet Championship in 2015/16.
Mitroglou, 27, spent last season on loan at Olympiakos, where he bagged 16 goals in 24 league appearances for the Greek champions.
“There’s a good chance that Kostas will be off on loan shortly. If so it will be to Benfica but it’s not confirmed yet,” Symons said.
“It’s not disappointing. All along he’s been open and straight and said he wanted to play for Fulham if we were in the Premier League. He’s said all along he doesn’t want to play in the Championship.
“He’s enjoyed himself on the training camp this summer and hopefully he will get his wish, we’ll get promoted, and he can play for Fulham in the Premier League next year.”
Fulham are priced at 8/1 to win promotion to the English Premier League in 2015/16.
M’Vila signs for Sunderland
Sunderland AFC have completed the signing of midfielder Yann M’Vila from from Russian club FC Rubin Kazan on a season-long loan deal.
M’Vila, 25, becomes the Black Cats’ fifth summer recruit following the arrivals of Adam Matthews (Celtic), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kyiv), Sebastián Coates (Liverpool) and Younès Kaboul (Tottenham Hotspur).
The deal includes an option to make the transfer permanent after the 2015/16 season.
“I’m very happy to be a Sunderland player. I had a very good feeling training with the team; every player welcomed me and the feeling was very good with them so I’m excited for the start of the season,” M’Vila told the club’s official website.
“I’ve also wanted to play in the Barclays Premier League for a long time so I’m very happy to be here.”
Sunderland sporting director Lee Congerton added: “Yann is a player who is highly regarded by a number of the elite clubs across Europe, playing for his national team of France from a young age.
“The Premier League presents a fresh challenge for him, its one I know he is relishing and we are delighted to welcome him to the club.”
M’Vila, a France international, made 12 appearances in all competitions while on loan at Italian Serie A side Internazionale Milano last season.
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