Arthur Masuaku's time at Sunderland never developed in the way either side had hoped.

When the experienced left-back arrived on a free transfer from Besiktas last summer, the move looked like a sensible piece of business for a newly-promoted side.

Masuaku brought seven years of Premier League experience from West Ham, had rebuilt his career in Turkey and was expected to provide leadership alongside Régis Le Bris' younger squad.

Instead, opportunities proved difficult to find.

The DR Congo international made just three Premier League appearances during the first half of the season, totalling only 127 minutes before falling further down the pecking order.

With regular football becoming increasingly unlikely, Sunderland agreed to send him on loan to Lens in January.

That switch also failed to reignite his campaign.

Masuaku featured only four times in Ligue 1, accumulating 229 minutes as injuries and competition for places again restricted his involvement.

Those struggles have left Sunderland with an obvious decision this summer.

Le Bris has continued reshaping his squad ahead of another important Premier League campaign, placing a greater emphasis on younger players capable of growing with the club over several seasons.

Masuaku also entered the final year of his contract this summer, making this the ideal opportunity for Sunderland to find a solution that suits all parties rather than keeping an unhappy player on the wage bill.

A return to Turkey has therefore become an increasingly realistic outcome.

The 32-year-old enjoyed three successful seasons with Besiktas before moving to Wearside, making more than 100 appearances for the Istanbul club and winning both the Turkish Cup and Turkish Super Cup.

His experience of the Süper Lig has made him an attractive option for clubs seeking an experienced left-back without paying a transfer fee.

According to Turkish reports earlier this week, Konyaspor had already made Masuaku one of their priority targets and the defender was said to be seriously considering the project on offer.

Now the move appears to be entering its final stages.

Sunderland to let Arthur Masuaku leave for free with agreement in principle reached

Sport Witness, citing Turkish outlet Konya'nın Sesi, reports that Sunderland have agreed to release Masuaku despite him still having one year remaining on his contract.

The report states the Black Cats will not receive a transfer fee, allowing Konyaspor to complete the deal as a free transfer once the remaining formalities are finalised.

It is also claimed that Masuaku has already reached an agreement in principle over a two-year contract with the Turkish club.

Only the final details remain before he travels to Turkey for a medical and completes the move.

While Sunderland will not bank a transfer fee, the deal still carries benefits.

Removing Masuaku's final year of wages creates additional room within the club's budget and allows Le Bris to continue building a squad around players expected to contribute throughout the season.

For Masuaku, the move offers something he has lacked for much of the past year.

After difficult spells at both Sunderland and Lens, returning to a league where he previously performed at a high level could provide the regular football needed to revive the final years of his career.

Given how little he featured last season, this increasingly looks like a transfer that serves the interests of everyone involved.