Sunderland's £25.7m move for Toulouse left-back Dayann Methalie is in doubt after a medical uncovered a back issue requiring further tests. Regis Le Bris declined to comment on the French youth international's future, despite social media images appearing to show the player at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland sources have not ruled out the deal being completed before the September 1 deadline, but time is running out. The Black Cats have alternative targets at left-back, though Methalie was their primary focus in that position.
Le Bris on transfer strategy
Le Bris said: "I won't comment on individuals, as usual. About the transfer market, yeah. First of all, it's good to keep the core of the group. It's a strong reminder that it's not the end of the story for this group."
"Our main players want to stay in Sunderland, they want to achieve something big, and it's really positive to keep the core. After that, quality over quantity. It's not the same dynamic compared to last season."
"It might be reassuring to have a lot of movement, but in that case, it's not our target. We are clear in what we are looking for. It's hard because the market is not an easy one as well. At the same time, we stay patient, we stay calm."
Le Bris added: "I trust the club, I trust the process as a whole because we are well connected and if we don't have early signings this season, there's a reason and it's not because we don't want to achieve the targets, it's just because it's not possible at the minute."
"The market is a bit different. So we don't have the same targets as last season, first of all, and the market is probably slower than usual. Some clubs as well overpaid some players and it doesn't help the following situations."
"Because if a club, for example, pays a player £50 million rather than the real value, around £20million, then the next signings, they want to align with the same. So until the last week, probably, this effect will apply."
Ipswich Town headache
Sunderland travel to Ipswich Town this weekend with a near fully fit squad, aside from Simon Adingra who is set to miss the start of the season with an ankle injury sustained in pre-season. The Ivory Coast international has been linked with a move away, though any departure looks hampered by the injury.
Omar Alderete, Nordi Mukiele and Thomas Muenier are all back training with the first team after missing the final pre-season game against Stade Rennais through injury. All three will have their minutes managed given their different fitness levels.
Le Bris described the clash as a step into the unknown against a newly promoted side that could hand as many as seven debuts to new players at Portman Road.
He said: "Yeah, it's going to be a Premier League game. They experienced the Premier League three years ago, so I think they learned from this experience."
"They are ambitious, signing 10 players so far, I think. The manager is intense, well known in France. It's the first game at home as well, so it's more or less Sunderland vs West Ham last season."
"So we know exactly what will be the game, it's about intensity, it's about competition at the highest level, so let's get ready."
Europa League plan for youngsters
Sunderland have offloaded several fringe players ahead of their return to the Premier League and a historic Europa League campaign, though the slow summer window has impacted further departures. Alan Browne, who spent last season on loan with Middlesbrough, has been linked with several Championship clubs but remains a Sunderland player. If the club can bolster that area, Browne could be allowed to leave.
Question marks remain over some youngsters who impressed in pre-season, including Timur Tutierov and Tom Proctor. Tutierov spent last season on loan with Exeter City and was expected to leave before a U-turn saw him sign a new deal after impressing Le Bris.
It is likely several youngsters will be named on the bench at times in Europe this season, though there is a clear aim to strengthen the squad with new signings before then. Le Bris said: "We'll start strong, and we'll manage the situations, to stay strong with the full group, at the minute this is the idea, like we did for the FA Cup last season."
"We'll try to go strong, probably we'll reach the limit, then try to manage, but we never know before. We'll try to have a consistent and efficient group, about 18 core players, and then young players around, and try to manage the situation like that."
