The 10 Sunderland players who could leave for free this summer - including club's top dribbler
10 Sunderland players are nearing the ends of their contracts, including some important players for Regis Le Bris.
Sunderland can expect a quiet January transfer window after a productive summer market and a strong start to the season, but some of the club’s players will be eyeing up their next moves as their contracts run down.
The Black Cats are eighth in the table after 20 games, with seven wins, 30 points and just four defeats on the board - trailing the top four by just four points and already opening up a 16-point buffer on the relegation zone.
No fewer than 15 players came through the door at the Stadium of Light in the summer, and that recruitment drive has no doubt been a catalyst behind Sunderland’s strong start. However, one of those players arrived on loan, while another only signed a one-year deal with the club - and they sit alongside eight players who are in the final six months of their contracts and are now free to negotiate with other clubs.
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Who 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)
- Joe Anderson (centre-back, end of contract)
- Jay Matete (midfielder, end of contract)
- Dennis Cirkin (full-back, end of contract)
- Dan Neil (midfielder, end of contract)
- Blondy Nna Noukeu (goalkeeper, end of contract)
- Zak Johnson (centre-back, end of contract)
- Harrison Jones (midfielder, end of contract)
The most worrying names on Sunderland’s 10-man list of players coming toward the end of their contracts are Bertrand Traore and Lutsharel Geertruida. The former only signed from Ajax in the summer and has been a solid addition, netting in a 3-2 win over Bournemouth in November, while averaging 1.18 chances created and 2.06 successful take-ons per 90 minutes - placing him third and first, respectively, among Sunderland players. Luckily, the Black Cats hold the option to extend Traore’s contract by a year, so they hold all the cards when it comes to his immediate future.
Geertruida, meanwhile, is only on loan from RB Leipzig. While there was no mention within the official club statement, it is understood Sunderland do have the option to make his loan permanent this summer, and given he’s started nine Premier League matches and clocked up almost 900 minutes, there is a decent chance the club will take that option.
Dennis Cirkin and Dan Neil are also nearing the ends of their contracts, but have been bit-part players this season and are unlikely to extend their stays at the Stadium of Light. Beyond them, the list is completed by youngsters and squad players like Harrison Jones and Simon Moore. In addition to the above, Sunderland have six players whose contracts expire in the summer of 2027, including Arthur Masuaku, Reinildo and Luke O’Nien.
What next for Sunderland?
Sunderland have drawn their last four Premier League matches and five of their last seven, but have only lost once during that time. The Black Cats will look to pick up another valuable result when they travel to Brentford on Wednesday night, before they take on Everton away in the FA Cup third round on their first-ever trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium. Regis Le Bris’ side will then finally get a full week’s break after the busy festive schedule, before hosting Crystal Palace in the Premier League.