Sunderland contract latest as 6 players face summer decision, including 1.97 dribbles per 90 star
Sunderland are in danger of losing several players for free this summer.
Sunderland have just nine games to go in what has been an excellent Premier League season so far.
Competing in the top flight for the first time since 2017, the Black Cats are 11th on 40 points following their slump-ending 1-0 win at Leeds United, level with Fulham and Bournemouth above them and just four points adrift of the top seven. What’s more, Regis Le Bris’ men are 12 points clear of the relegation zone and all but safe.
With all that in mind, attention will already be turning to the summer transfer window, and part of Sunderland’s preparations will be regarding what to do with players whose contracts are expiring or whose loans are coming to an end.
Which players could leave Sunderland for free this summer?
- Simon Moore (goalkeeper, end of contract)
- Bertrand Traore (winger, end of contract)
- Lutsharel Geertruida (full-back, loan from RB Leipzig)
- Dennis Cirkin (full-back, end of contract)
- Dan Neil (midfielder, end of contract)
- Harrison Jones (midfielder, end of contract)
Loanee Lutsharel Geertruida’s deal is up in the summer, and it remains unclear whether or not he’ll return to the Stadium of Light on a permanent basis - especially in the wake of Liverpool’s shock January interest and the fact he’s started just 12 Premier League games so far. Bertrand Traore only signed for Sunderland on a one-year contract, and while he’s posted an impressive 1.97 successful dribbles per 90 minutes, he’s been a bit-part player at best, with his inconsistency making it unlikely that his contract will be extended. The Burkina Faso international has just one goal and zero assists to his name in 12 appearances.
Dan Neil left on loan for Ipswich Town in January, and despite his popularity among supporters, the academy graduate is already confirmed to be leaving the club this summer. While Harrison Jones and Simon Moore will surely leave, the future remains uncertain for Dennis Cirkin. The left-back was an important player in Sunderland’s promotion effort, but has played just eight times across all competitions this season.
However, an academy graduate at 23 years old, he offers cheap depth and the potential to further improve. The question will be whether or not he’s willing to stick around as a back-up option, or go to pastures new in search of more regular minutes.
Which Sunderland players have 18 months left on their contracts?
There are three other players in the Sunderland squad whose contracts expire in the summer of 2027. Most prominent are the situations of defenders Reinildo Mandava and Luke O’Nien. The former has been ever-present when fit and available at left-back since joining from Atletico Madrid last summer, and even though he turns 33 next season, he’ll expect an extension on current form. As for the latter, he was a key part of Sunderland’s promotion campaign and is a club stalwart, but has played just 111 minutes of Premier League football this season. He may well seek an exit in the summer if his situation doesn’t improve. Abdoullah Ba is the other player whose deal ends in the summer of 2027, but Sunderland will likely look to move him out long before then.