Stoke City are one of a number of clubs targeting Lynden Gooch this summer.
That’s according to SI, who have reported that Alex Neil is eager to reunite with the versatile defender at the bet365 Stadium.
Gooch has spent the last eleven years with Sunderland and has made almost 250 appearances for the club, however he has slowly fallen down the pecking order due to the brilliant form of Trai Hume.
With only one year left on his current deal, the report claims that Gooch is one of three players that have been told their contract won’t be extended beyond next summer – meaning he could be set to bring his time on Wearside to an end.
The American certainly isn’t short on options if he is to leave this summer, with Preston North End and QPR also interested in snapping him up.
Gooch may favour a move to Stoke to link up with Neil, whom he made 41 appearances under during their promotion-winning season.
The Scot expressed his admiration for Gooch during his time at the Stadium of Light. Following a 5-1 victory over Cambridge United, Neil said: “I was really pleased with him.
“The instruction to him was really clear: get down the outside and put early balls in and his quality yesterday was really top-notch. The one thing I will say about Goochy is that he works his socks off every single day.
“You talk about people wearing their heart on their sleeve for this club, and he is right up there. I don’t think anyone internally at the club would have any doubts about Goochy.”
Sunderland could do with Lynden Gooch’s versatility but he deserves regular football with Stoke
Having played pretty much all over the pitch for Sunderland, Lynden Gooch has been extremely useful during a period where the club has been plagued with injuries.
The 27-year-old has been a brilliant servant to the Black Cats and will undoubtedly be missed by fans and players if and when he leaves, however Sunderland should cash in before he leaves for free next summer.
Gooch deserves regular first team football and he still has plenty in his locker to make a positive impact on another Championship club, while the recently recovered Niall Huggins will take his place in the squad.