The defender’s agent Fabien Piveteau told The Journal that the move was “95% certain” to go through early next week as Steve Bruce looks to add a sixth new face to his new-look Sunderland squad.

And he said that the player is desperate to get to work under Steve Bruce and Eric Black, Sunderland’s French-speaking assistant boss who has been the driving force behind the transfer. Although reports in France had claimed that Lyon would only be willing to sell Mensah to Sunderland outright, it appears as if a loan deal has been agreed with the option of a permanent deal at the end of the season.

“The deal is 95% completed now and it will go through on Monday, I think,” Piveteau claimed.

“The date of when it will be announced will depend on when he gets his visa but it is close now. It is John’s dream to play in England and he has been very impressed with Steve Bruce, with Eric Black and with Sunderland Football Club. He already has a good relationship with Steve and with Eric too, who knows the French game well and speaks fluent French.

“The deal is for one year with an option to sign at the end of that year. It is a good move for John because Sunderland are a big club with ambition.” With the highly-rated Paraguay captain Paulo Da Silva having finally been granted his visa, Mensah’s arrival will provide even more competition for places in the centre of defence.

Although Da Silva may be pressed into right-back duty it appears as if Mensah will be used largely as a centre-back. “He is looking forward to playing at centre-back. Last year was difficult for him because he played at left-back and right-back but he would prefer to play in the centre,” Piveteau said. “He will get that chance at Sunderland, hopefully.”

The Journal understands Bruce was talking to a potential new recruit at the Academy of Light on Thursday afternoon, and that the club were close to clinching the player’s signature. And, although it appears as if the Mensah deal is all but completed, the Sunderland boss has other candidates for the centre-back berth that he has been trying to fill.

Bruce also has an interest in Sylvain Distin, but Portsmouth’s huge asking price and their public insistences that he is not for sale may have forced the Black Cats boss to look elsewhere. Lucas Neill has been in talks with Sunderland, too, and the versatile Australia defender may yet be recruited – but Galatasaray are offering the former Blackburn man more money and the chance to join up with international team-mate Harry Kewell.

Neill has also spoken of his debt of loyalty to Gianfranco Zola, hinting that West Ham remain in the running to keep him.

The likely capture of Mensah means competition for places at the back will be fierce. But Danny Collins, the club’s player of the season, will go into the campaign with a starting place and insists he is up for the challenge of fending off rivals for his shirt.

“It's the same question every year. With the new defenders coming in, I just see it as a challenge,” he said. “This club is always looking to strengthen and it pushes us. I just train hard and try to hold down my place.”