Sunderland explain Simon Adingra Monaco loan plan with option to buy

Sunderland are expected to sanction a loan move for Simon Adingra to AS Monaco, with the decision shaped by squad balance, player development and long-term value protection.

The 24-year-old winger is set to return to Ligue 1 until the end of the season, with Monaco holding an option to make the deal permanent in the summer. If triggered, Sunderland would recoup the £21million fee paid to sign Adingra last summer, while also banking a seven-figure loan fee in the short term.

According to club sources, the move is expected to be completed once Adil Aouchiche is recalled from Aberdeen and finalises his permanent transfer to Schalke, freeing up an international loan slot.

Simon Adingra only joined Sunderland in the summer but has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter. He has made just nine Premier League starts and currently sits well down the pecking order under Régis Le Bris, despite the head coach recently acknowledging a lack of experience in wide areas.

Sunderland initially had high expectations for Adingra, but opportunities are likely to be limited during the second half of the campaign given the competition ahead of him.

Bertrand Traoré remains first choice on the right, while the return to fitness of Habib Diarra increases the likelihood of Enzo Le Fée featuring predominantly on the left when Granit Xhaka is also available.

Adingra also finds himself behind Romaine Mundle, Chemsdine Talbi and Trai Hume in the attacking hierarchy, with Hume recently used on the right flank. Eliezer Mayenda, Chris Rigg and January arrival Jocelin Ta Bi have all featured in wide roles this season, further limiting Adingra’s pathway to consistent minutes.

With that context, Sunderland believe a temporary move is the best outcome for all parties.

Monaco, currently 10th in Ligue 1, are through to the Champions League knockout stages and face Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 32. The club view Adingra as a player capable of contributing immediately, while Sunderland see the loan as a chance for him to play regularly and either secure a permanent move or return to Wearside sharper and more established.

There is also a clear understanding internally that Adingra’s market value could decline if he remained a fringe figure for the rest of the season.

On a related note, Sunderland winger Patrick Roberts is expected to complete a permanent move to Birmingham City. Roberts has become a regular for Chris Davies’ side in the Championship and is set to finalise his exit imminently.