Sunderland AFC transfer news and rumours RECAP: Cats in 'advanced talks' with ex-£11m man as Charlie Wyke exit confirmed

Former Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke has signed for Wigan Athletic on a three-year deal.

The frontman, who netted 31 times for the Black Cats last season, announced his departure from the Stadium of Light on Tuesday – despite Sunderland’s desire to keep their top scorer on Wearside.

Wyke joined the club from Bradford City in 2018 and after two stop-start campaigns enjoyed a fine 2020/21 campaign, which naturally prompted interest from elsewere.

Championship sides Nottingham Forest, Millwall and Middlesbrough were all linked with summer moves while Scottish giants Celtic were also credited with an interest.

But Wyke will now continue his career at the DW Stadium, joining former Sunderland skipper Max Power in the North West.

Arbenit Xhemajli is making solid progress in his recovery from a major knee injury, but Lee Johnson has warned that the defender cannot be expected to make a major impact in the early stages of the campaign.

Sunderland paid a significant compensation fee to Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax last summer to secure Xhemajli’s signature, but the Kosovo international was able to make just one competitive appearance before suffering ligament damage on international duty.

Xhemajli has been stepping up his recovery in recent times, but Johnson has again stressed the severity of the injury the 23-year-old suffered just under a year ago.

He has warned that while the medium to long-term signs are currently excellent for the defender, it is still some time before he can be considered to be realistically in contention for regular senior minutes.

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Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has offered a transfer update...

He’s been speaking to safc.com about why he decided to turn down Championship interest to remain on Wearside...

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

It looks like the situation between Charlie Wyke and Sunderland has reached an end game.

The striker – who scored 31 goals in all competitions for the Wearsiders last season – is now out of contract.

The 28-year-old was offered fresh terms at the Stadium of Light amidst interest in his services from League One and the Championship.

However, it appears that the Teesside-born attacker has decided not to take the Black Cats up on their offer and is now certain to play his football elsewhere next season.

Speaking on his Instagram account, Wyke said: “Thank you to the @sunderlandafcofficial fans who supported me from day one & good luck for the future.”

The post came around the same time as Wyke’s name was mentioned with a potential move to Wigan Athletic – one of Sunderland’s rivals in League One.

According to Sun journalist Alan Nixon, The Latics are interested in a move for the player and may offer the best terms.

Wyke’s goodbye comes as no surprise after head coach Lee Johnson said that he was ‘95% certain’ that Wyke would leave after his contract expired last week.

After Saturday’s 2-2 pre-season draw with Spennymoor Town, Johnson conceded that Sunderland had left the ‘door ajar’ for further talks should an expected move to the Championship not materialise, but the Black Cats have long been planning for life without their 31-goal striker from last season.

Johnson says that Stewart’s January arrival from Ross County, however, was the first part of the club’s succession planning.

After an encouraging end to last season, the head coach believes that a full pre-season will leave the Scottish forward ready to make a major impact in League One.

“You have to plan for every eventuality,” Johnson said on Wyke’s expected departure.

“In fact, that already start with signing Ross Stewart during the window in January.

“They’re different players, styles, but they have some similar attributes. And in fairness, he’s not really been fully, fully fit for us yet and so this pre-season is very important for him.

“Then we’ve got Aiden O’Brien and Will Grigg as well.”

A former Stadium of Light favourite looks set to join the Wearsiders’ third-tier rivals.

Former fan favourite Chris Maguire’s hunt for a new club following his Sunderland departure is drawing to a close.

According to Sky Sports, the Scot is undergoing a medical at Lincoln City, with reporter Keith Downie sharing an update:

He said: “Few pieces of #SAFC transfer news:

“Charlie Wyke currently in Wigan for medical & finalising move. Wigan fought off Champ interest.

“Sunderland in advanced talks with Alex Pritchard - they hope to beat Birmingham to the winger.

“Chris Maguire undergoing medical at Lincoln.”

The Imps – managed by Michael Appleton – defeated Lee Johnson’s Black Cats in the League One play-off semi-final over two legs last season.

However, Lincoln lost in the final at Wembley against Blackpool and will once again compete against Sunderland.

Maguire, 32, recently thanked Sunderland fans for their support over the last three years.

The charismatic attacker joined the Black Cats from Bury in 2018 and scored 28 goals in 124 appearances during his time on Wearside.

Maguire was one of several first-team players who weren’t offered a new deal at the end of last season when his contract expired.

The forward scored some memorable goals while at Sunderland, including a stunning strike against Portsmouth in the play-offs, and became a popular figure among supporters.

The player recently took to Instagram to post: “Thanks to everyone @sunderlandafcofficial for the past 3 years. I loved my time at the club and will always appreciate the support that was shown to me from the fans.”