The agent of midfielder Franck Kessie has spoken about his clients move to Wearside being blocked by the Premier League in the summer transfer window.
The young midfielder looked all in to be a Sunderland player in the summer, but a work permit blocked the move.
Kessies agent revelled that the deal had been done between the clubs and player, but Premier League regulations halted the move.
George Atangana said "He does not meet the 75% attendance for the national team for a single appearance. He has made four and would need five to be welcomed in the Premier League."
Kessie who is seen as a defensive midfielder, currently plays at Italian side Atalanta, on loan from Cesena. The 19 year old has also broken into the senior Ivory Coast international side, the first of which was against Sierra Leone.