The Black Cats are interested in a deal for Bischoff, who was one of the standout stars of Denmark’s run to the quarter-finals at the European Under-21 Championships.
The 19-year-old, who scored the Danes’ opening goal in their 3-2 defeat to France in the last eight of the tournament on Sunday night, can play as either a left-sided attacker or a left wing-back.
Sunderland need a left-sided forward to replace Tommy Watson, who formally completed his move to Brighton earlier this month, and have identified Bischoff as a leading option.
The teenager will enter the final year of his contract with Danish side Brondby at the start of next month, but has so far refused to sign a new deal with his current employers.
Bischoff was on the verge of completing a move to Brighton in the January window, only for the switch to break down on deadline day, and the youngster’s agent, Thomas Gravesen, has publicly blamed Brondby officials for the collapse of the proposed £7m transfer.
While Bischoff returned to action with Brondby in the second half of last season, Scandinavian sources suggest he is unlikely to sign a new deal in Denmark despite Brondby sporting director, Benjamin Schemdes, continuing to express a hope that a new-long term contract can be agreed.
“Clement has one year left on his contract,” said Schemdes earlier this week, in an interview with TV2 Sport. “That puts us in a situation where we’ve had strong discussions for a long time, but nothing is official yet, so there’s no agreement. We’re in dialogue and we’ll see where it ends.
READ MORE:
“We know how talented they (Bischoff and his team-mate Noah Nartey) are, and I don’t think they’re finished with their personal development. Both can take more steps here in Brondby, and I still hope they feel that.”
If Bischoff refuses to sign a new deal, though, Brondby cannot afford to allow him to run down his contract and leave as a free agent next summer.
In that scenario, the Danish club would almost certainly be willing to do business, and Sunderland’s recruitment team are keeping a close eye on the situation as they line up a formal offer.
Given that another six months has elapsed since Brighton were set to pay around £7m, Sunderland would almost certainly look to strike a deal for a lower fee, with a possible sale figure of around £5m having been mentioned in the Danish press.
Speaking shortly after the collapse of his proposed move to the Amex Stadium, Copenhagen-born Bischoff spoke of his continued desire to leave his homeland and experience life in the Premier League.
“I have a plan and I’m working every day to make this move abroad,” said Bischoff, who has made 22 senior appearances in the Danish Superliga. “This was a really good opportunity for me (to join Brighton), but it is what it is. If I keep doing it right, I know the opportunity will come again.
“It’s definitely an option to extend or move in the summer. I’m not closing any options, but it’s something we need to think about.”
Sunderland have also been heavily linked with a move for Sassuolo winger Armand Lauriente, who briefly worked with Regis Le Bris at Lorient.
Lauriente has spent the last three seasons playing in Italy, and was a key factor in Sassuolo winning promotion from Serie B last season. The 26-year-old scored 18 goals and claimed six assists from his 33 league appearances, but he will enter the final two years of his contract next month, leaving Sassuolo in a potentially vulnerable position.
Capable of playing as either a wide attacker or a central striker, Lauriente is attracting interest from across Europe, with his agent, Roberto Meloni, suggesting he could be sold this summer for between €15-20m.
“(Last) summer there were important offers for him,” said Meloni. “But Sassuolo rejected them. There was talk of figures around €15m, so I think he could be sold for between €15m and €20m. But it’s just my assessment.”
