Bertrand Traore: Burkina Faso winger linked with surprise move to Swehly in Libya Premier League switch

Bertrand Traore, the Burkina Faso forward currently without a club after leaving Sunderland, is being linked with a move to Libyan Premier League side Swehly. The 30-year-old right winger, valued at around €4m, became a free agent at the start of July and is understood to be weighing options for the next stage of his career.

Swehly are thought to be exploring the possibility of adding Traore’s experience and attacking output on a free transfer as they look to strengthen for the new campaign. Any deal would not require a fee, with the player having departed Sunderland on 1 July after a short spell on Wearside.

Traore has built a substantial career across several major European leagues, including the Premier League, Ligue 1 and Eredivisie. He has made 77 Premier League appearances, as well as featuring heavily in France and the Netherlands, where he played 99 times in the Eredivisie. On the European stage he has been a regular in continental competition, scoring 11 goals in 32 Europa League outings and appearing in both the Champions League and its qualifying rounds.

At his peak, Traore reached a market valuation of €20m and was part of the Ajax side that finished runners-up in the 2016-17 Europa League. His availability without a transfer fee and his record of contributing goals from the right flank have attracted interest as clubs search for late-window attacking reinforcements.

For now, Traore remains unattached and free to negotiate, with Swehly among the clubs monitoring his situation as discussions over his next move continue.