Mensah set for Sunderland return
Ghana international John Mensah is to return to Sunderland on loan.
Sunderland have said a deal for Mensah is close and, according to a Lyon statement, Mensah will sign a season-long deal worth ?500,000 (£416,000). The deal will become permanent if the 27-year-old defender plays more than 25 games, at which point Sunderland would pay a further ?5,500,000 (£4.58 million).
"Olympique Lyon can confirm the loan of Ghana international John Mensah to English club Sunderland for an amount of ?500,000 with an option to purchase," a Lyon statement read.
"This option provides for the permanent transfer of John Mensah to Sunderland for an amount of ?5.5 million (a total of ?6 million) if the player plays in a minimum of 25 games in different competitions during the 2010-11 season or if the club decide to take up the option before April 30, 2011."
Sunderland said on their website on Friday night that no deal was yet in place and was unlikely before next week.
"A number of reports have been published suggested Mensah has already signed, but officials have revealed the deal has not yet been completed," a story on the club's website read.
Mensah made 18 appearances for Sunderland while on loan from Lyon last season. He then captained Ghana as they reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in South Africa.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=812340&sec=transfers&cc=4716
