Sunderland AFC transfer news RECAP: Cats conclude double contract deal as Aiden McGeady update emerges

Aiden McGeady looks set to extend his stay at Sunderland, with an agreement on a new deal thought to be close.

The winger proved a talismanic figure after being reintegrated into the first-team fold by Lee Johnson, finishing with the most assists in the division despite making his first appearance in December.

The 35-year-old further underlined his commitment to the club’s attempts to win promotion back to the Championship by waiving a clause that would have triggered an automatic extension had he started the second leg of the play-off semi final against Lincoln City.

Conscious of the need for long-term sustainability, Sunderland were reluctant to do that but talks over a fresh arrangement have been positive.

While not concluded, The Echo understands that at this stage all parties are hopeful of reaching an agreement.

McGeady’s affection for the club and the area is well known, best seen in his decision not to pursue a move away last summer even when his first-team prospects under Phil Parkinson looked bleak.

Johnson, meanwhile, has formed a strong relationship with the winger and has made absolutely clear his desire to keep him at the club.

On the eve of that second leg, Johnson said: “For me on the football side of it, I would love to keep Aiden McGeady next season because I think he is a fantastic player and we get on extremely well.

“But it’s between him and the sporting director.

“All I can do is be really genuine and honest and sound with the player, deliver the information that’s given to me and prove to him that I want him to be an important part of our plans moving forward.”

McGeady was one of four players offered a new deal at the end of the season.

Sources have long suspected that the failure to win promotion to the Championship would lead to Charlie Wyke’s departure, after his 31-goal campaign attracted significant interest.

The forward is known to have Championship suitors, as well as interest from Celtic and fellow League One promotion rivals Ipswich Town.

Of the quartet whose deals expire at the end of this month, his future is by some distance the most uncertain and at this stage he is expected to depart.

Luke O’Nien is still weighing up his future, as he is also believed to have attracted interest from the Championship.

Denver Hume suffered a hamstring injury in the play-off semi finals against Lincoln City but Sunderland believe the full back has a bright future and are eager to secure his future.

Speaking before that play-off campaign, Johnson said: “I think what he hasn’t got me and my staff can coach.

“I think what he has got is difficult to coach. Denver Hume, for me, is quite an exciting project as like - as long as his attitude is good, he stays fit and we work with him on the training ground.

“There’s various parts to his game that when I was assessing the Sunderland squad and looking at areas, he’s one that I thought ‘okay, we can definitely raise the value of’.”

Ellis Taylor is likely to be given a chance to make an impression in the first-team environment this pre-season after signing his first professional contract.

Taylor enjoyed a stellar campaign last time out, a crucial part of the U23 side that made it to the play-off final of Premier League 2 Division 2 despite still eligible for U18 selection.

An exciting left winger, Taylor has signed a three-year deal at the club where he has already played for the best part of a decade.

Sunderland plan to hand a number of that successful U23 team a chance to impress in pre-season.

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Sunderland are one of the clubs to have been linked with striker Guy Melamed this summer.

The Israeli frontman enjoyed a fine season at St Johnstone and is now a free agent - with reports linking the Black Cats, Portsmouth and Ipswich Town with summer moves for the 28-year-old.

Melamed was offered fresh terms with the Scottish club but boss Callum Davidson said earlier this week that the club would ‘move on’ from the striker.

However, in a fresh twist, Davidson has now confirmed that the contract offer remains on the table for Melamed.

Speaking to the Daily Record, he said: “We made him a very good offer to stay but his agent has said he will wait and see.

“It’s unfortunate we haven’t been able to come to an agreement. We have to move on but things can change quickly in football.

“Right now the offer is still there if Guy changes his mind and decides he wants to play for us next season.”

George Dobson looks set to leave Sunderland on a permanent basis.

AFC Wimbledon head coach Mark Robinson has revealed that his club have made an offer to try and sign the 23-year-old after a successful loan spell, but believes that they will be outbid by another club.

Dobson made 24 appearances at Wimbledon last season, a key part of their revival as they escaped relegation from the third tier.

That looks to have attracted other suitors for the midfielder, who Sunderland are willing to let go as they restructure their squad.

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