YANN M’VILA has had to return to Russian club Rubin Kazan this week while he waits to hear if he can secure a permanent switch to Sunderland.

The Black Cats are keen to keep the French midfielder following the end of his loan but he remains a Rubin player after failing to reach an agreement over the remaining six months of his contract.

M’Vila, after solving visa issues which prevented him from joining in with the first day of pre-season training on Monday, has returned and is expected to raise the possibility of leaving full-time once more.

The 25-year-old, who turns 26 next week, has outlined a wish to move to Sunderland this summer after enjoying his loan spell, while Sam Allardyce has indicated re-signing him is one of the transfer window’s priorities.

But Sunderland are reluctant to match the £100,000-a-week contract he is on with Rubin, who are also unwilling to pay up the rest of his contract, so there is a stand-off. Sunderland do not want to pay a fee for a player who becomes a free agent in January either.

M’Vila and his representatives are set for further talks over the next week to see if a compromise can be reached, with Sunderland looking to have the majority of the squad in place before pre-season training begins in early July.

Rubin were surprised not to see M’Vila fail to report for the first day of training at the start of the week, but has turned up later with team-mate Chris Mavinga citing visa problems linked to being loaned to Sunderland.

Allardyce hopes to have moved on another midfielder, Liam Bridcutt, before pre-season gets into full swing.

Bridcutt spent part of last season on loan at Leeds United and, despite Garry Monk’s appointment as successor to Steve Evans, the Whites remain interested in taking him back to Elland Road.

Sunderland have told Leeds, however, they are still looking for a fee for the former Brighton man, who has 12 months remaining on the contract he signed when Gus Poyet took him to the Stadium of Light two years ago.

Blackburn, meanwhile, are in advanced negotiations with Danny Graham over a permanent move to Ewood Park. The Sunderland striker will be a free agent on July 1 and spent last season on loan with Rovers.