Sunderland AFC chief executive Martin Bain:

“I was contacted this week by Yann M’Vila’s representatives, who advised that the player no longer wishes to join Sunderland.

“There was a three-and-a-half-year agreement in place, however after discussions with the manager we have decided not to enforce the contract. Any player that we bring to Sunderland Football Club must be wholly committed.

"Yann M’Vila will therefore not be joining us in January and we wish him well for the future.”