Sunderland Football Club are closing on John Mensah.

Steve Bruce is a long-term admirer of the Ghanaian international defender, and the Lyon star is set to seal a season-long loan deal at the Stadium of Light within 24 hours.

"The deal is 95 per cent completed now and it will go through on Monday, I think," agent Fabian Piveteau told the Sunderland Echo. "It is John's dream to play in England.

“He has been very impressed with Sunderland Football Club. He already has a good relationship with Steve and with Eric Black too, who knows the French game well and speaks fluent French.

"The deal is for one year with an option to signing at the end of that year. It is a good move for John because Sunderland are a big club with ambition."