New boy Ola Toivonen has hinted at the possibility of extending his stay on Wearside assuming all goes well with the loan deal this season. Speaking to the press the 29-year-old midfielder said:

"I'm due to go back to Rennes after the loan, but perhaps I will stay at Sunderland. It is a thought you have in your head. But it is too early to talk about that. We have agreed a deal for a year and then we will see how it goes. I'll try to help to keep Sunderland in the Premier League."

Seemingly the Black Cats are paying all of Toivonen's reported 25kpw salary and it was this arrangement that led to parent club Rennes permitting the move to go ahead during the summer transfer window. Pleasingly the player also now seems happy to be in the Premier League and importantly, playing on Wearside adding:

"I always wanted to play in the Premier League, so when I got the call from Sunderland it was a quick decision to make."

It is understood that Toivonen is in the last year of his contract with the Ligue One side. Subject to anything drastically changing in the meantime it's expected the Sweden International will be seeking to find a permanent move away from Rennes next summer.

Therefore should Toivonen find himself a hit at Sunderland then no doubt Director of Football Lee Congerton will be doing all he can to snap up the player for what would surely be a negligible fee give his contractual circumstances.