What Coventry City and Birmingham City 'target' Tom Flanagan has said about his Sunderland future

Amid reports of Championship interest, it remains unclear whether the former Burton Albion man will pledge his future to the Wearsiders or seek a new club.

Here, we take a look at the contract dilemma facing Flanagan, what has been said in the past and why the Black Cats are so keen to keep him around for the 2020/21 season:

What’s the situation?

Flanagan was one of a clutch of Sunderland players set to see their contracts expire on June 30, but is yet to see his contract situation resolved. While Jon McLaughlin has moved on and Chris Maguire has agreed a contract extension, the Northern Irish international is yet to indicate his next steps.

He was offered new terms earlier this month and is continuing talks with the Black Cats – amid reports of outside interest – and can continue these talks for as long as it may take to agree terms.

But other clubs have been able to formally approach the centre back from June 24 and could put their own offer to his representatives.

Why are Sunderland keen to keep Flanagan?

While he was in and out of the team under previous manager Jack Ross, Flanagan has established himself as a regular starter under Phil Parkinson.

The Sunderland manager frequently praised his versatility and appreciated that his ability to play anywhere across the back three was a real asset for Sunderland.

Towards the end of the League One campaign, Flanagan made the left-sided centre back spot his own and together with Jordan Willis provided some consistency in the centre back areas. His performances were improving and there was little to no sign of the errors which had at times plagued the Black Cats’ defensive unit during the 2018/19 season – errors which had often seen the finger pointed at Flanagan and then-partner Jack Baldwin.

The 28-year-old was a key part of the side that looked to have turned a corner after the turn of the year and it’s interesting that Sunderland have lost only three league games in which Flanagan has started this term (two of which were the defeats to Coventry and Bristol Rovers just before the campaign was halted).

And more than anything, with the summer transfer market set to be unpredictable at best, there is a realisation that players of Flanagan’s ilk may be hard to come by. A full international, experienced at League One level and a good age – this pedigree is likely a key motivator behind Sunderland’s desire to retain the centre back.

Would he be a loss for the Black Cats?

While any potential departure of Flanagan may not spark the outpouring of disappointment that met Jon McLaughlin’s departure, it would represent another real blow to Sunderland were the centre back to turn down the deal offered.

Perhaps most concerningly, it would add further to the already large-scale rebuilding job Phil Parkinson has on his hands this summer.

With only one senior centre back on the club’s books currently, this is already a position of real worry – and failing to tie-down Flanagan to a new contract would place further pressure upon the club’s recruitment team.

Would Sunderland be confident of replacing Flanagan? Of course – but whether they could find three equally talented centre backs to add to the squad is another question entirely.

Is there other interest in Flanagan?

Various reports have suggested that there are other clubs interested in Flanagan this summer – and this would come as no surprise given his aforementioned pedigree.

Championship sides Birmingham City, Coventry City and Wigan Athletic have all been linked with a move for the centre back.

In the cases of Wigan and Birmingham, it would be a surprise if they were involved in any form of detailed talks at this moment in time given their season is ongoing. Indeed, Birmingham are still on the hunt for a new manager with Pep Clotet set to depart in the coming weeks, while Wigan’s divisional status is still in a precarious position.Amid

What has he said about his future?

Speaking back in March, before he knew whether there was a contract offer on the table, Flanagan said it would take ‘something special’ for him to be lured away from the Stadium of Light.

“I’ve got a young family who love it up here,” he said.

“We’ve both said it’s the nicest place that we’ve lived up here. We’ve enjoyed it and the people and stuff like that.

“I mean the football club... it will be something special for me to just turn my back and walk away. I can’t see that happening.

“But ultimately it’s in the club’s hands, so if it’s something that they’re not interested in then obviously I’m not gonna have a choice.”

Of course, much will depend on the precise details of the contract offered to Flanagan, and whether the outside interest is genuine. These comments were made months before any concrete offer was submitted, and the nature of the offer could change the player’s perspective.

But it’s fair to say the centre back is by no means shutting the door on remaining at Sunderland – and is prepared to listen to what the club can offer before making his decision.