In an interview with L’Équipe, Édouard Michut has confirmed that he rejected the opportunity to join Sunderland permanently as his loan expired. The PSG youth player joined the Black Cats on loan in the summer of 2022, as they looked to solidify their place in the second tier of English football.
The France U20 International’s loan move to Sunderland included a £2.5m option to buy, but Michut has explained that he turned down the proposition to switch the French capital for Wearside permanently. When quizzed by L’Équipe on the reasoning for his departure from Sunderland, Michut said: “The club offered me the opportunity to stay. It was my decision to leave Sunderland. We didn’t agree on certain contractual points. There were also a few things in the style of play that didn’t suit me”.
Michut played a major part in a successful campaign for Sunderland, playing 28 times across all competitions, as they reached the play-off semi-finals but missed out on promotion after they were defeated 3-2 on aggregate by newly-promoted Luton Town. The midfielder also scored one goal in his time with the Black Cats.
Michut also commented on his reasoning for accepting the move to Sunderland, telling L’Équipe: “I thought after the two years I spent at PSG with the pros, I was going to resume training with them when they resumed. That’s not what happened. The only option was for me to leave and thrive. I have no regrets”.
Michut will now return to PSG ahead of the 2023/24 season preparations, but it remains to be seen if he will be with Les Parisiens as they look to defend their Ligue 1 crown next season.
GFFN | Liam Wraith
