Sunderland could be willing to offload one of their longest-serving players this summer.
The Black Cats are yet to sell any of their senior players, despite heavy interest in their prized assets.
After entering the final month of the window, a number of Sunderland players have been linked with loans away.
The club have begun to strengthen their ranks and have forced some further down the pecking order, with Jewison Bennette looking to push through a loan exit following the impressive preseason form of Romaine Mundle.
One player who could leave on loan or even permanently is Elliot Embleton, who is a target for Blackpool.
It was recently reported that both Blackpool and Derby County were interested in signing Embleton, who has spent most of the last two seasons on the sidelines.
While the Seasiders will be confident they can land the midfielder after his previous spell with the club, League Two outfit MK Dons are now preparing their own ‘ambitious’ offer for him.
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Elliot Embleton could be heading to League Two
Writing on his Patreon, journalist Alan Nixon said: “Sunderland midfielder Elliot Embleton is wanted by Blackpool but ambitious MK Dons have entered the race.
“Embleton, 25, has a year left on his deal but missed a season with injury.
“The Black Cats would be happy to sell but the Seasiders want to see him playing regularly first.
“Dons could take the plunge instead and offer a loan with a view to a full-time move if Embleton plays enough games.”
MK Dons narrowly missed out on promotion to League One last season and will be aiming to go a step further this time round, but it still seems like very ambitious to expect Embleton to drop down to the fourth tier.
Sunderland should send Embleton back to League One
The 25-year-old probably isn’t at the level required of the Championship, but he has certainly proved himself in League One on numerous occasions.
Embleton helped Blackpool win promotion, before doing the same with Sunderland the following season – as well as scoring in the play-off final.
While he has been injured, Embleton deserves a move to the third tier where he can be a club’s main man, and a return to Blackpool seems like the perfect opportunity for him.
The Black Cats wouldn’t benefit from him leaving on loan though, especially as he would leave for free next summer anyway.
If the club can hold out for a permanent bid then that would be preferred, but his significant spell on the sidelines makes that unlikely.