Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris confirms interest to sign French-Moroccan midfielder Matteo Guendouzi

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has hinted at the possibility of reuniting with French-Moroccan midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, revealing that the pair remain in frequent contact ahead of the January transfer window.

Speaking to Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie, Le Bris admitted that he maintains a close relationship with the former Lorient and Olympique de Marseille star but stopped short of confirming any transfer developments.

He explained that discussions with past players are ongoing, with Guendouzi firmly among those he still keeps in touch with.

“We still have connections with players, and Matteo is one of those players,” Le Bris said. “I worked with him previously in Lorient, so we stay connected. But at the moment it’s too early to speak about the January transfer window.”

Guendouzi has long spoken highly of Le Bris’s coaching style, praising the Sunderland boss for the impact he made on his development. The midfielder has repeatedly shared his admiration for Le Bris’s rise, insisting that the coach’s success in England comes as no surprise.

“Honestly, his results at Sunderland don’t surprise me. A year with him is perhaps the equivalent of three with other coaches. You learn a lot about yourself. Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Guendouzi said earlier this year.

Guendouzi began his professional journey at FC Lorient, making 26 appearances between 2016 and 2018 before sealing a move to Arsenal. He later joined Marseille, first on loan during the 2021–2022 season, where he featured 38 times before signing permanently. He now represents Italian Serie A side Lazio, where he has played 46 matches and scored twice.