Cardiff City have been linked with a move for Sunderland’s Didier Ndong.

The midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan with Watford, but failed to make a single appearance for the Hornets and featured in just three match day squads.

His time at Vicarage Road was disrupted by personal problems away from the pitch which prevented him being available to Javi Gracia on a number of occasions.

Any chance of a permanent deal at Watford were, of course, scuppered by Ndong’s failure to make an impact on the Watford starting XI.

The 23-year-old is believed to be attracting attention from France as well, but favours a move which would see him remain in the Premier League.

His desire to play in the English top flight has seen Cardiff move to the front of the queue to sign him the Gabon international this summer.

They could, however, face a prolonged chase in any attempts to force a deal through as Sunderland, who have just been relegated to League One, look to make a sizeable return on a player who is contracted to the club until 2021.