Sunderland’s quest to keep one star midfielder could be made somewhat difficult due to one key issue.
The Black Cats’ January transfer window so far has seen them face various difficulties.
After the lightning quick start to the month, signing Enzo Le Fee in a loan deal from Italian giants Roma, incomings on Wearside have somewhat stagnated.
Deals have been pursued for the likes of Tom Cannon and Ben Brereton Diaz, as well as Chuba Akpom, but none have come into fruition, however, Sunderland are still showing reluctance to get extra players in before the window slams shut.
Another concern for Sunderland at this moment is the interest in their current crop of stars, one of which being Dan Neil, who is linked with a move to Everton.
Whilst the chances of a move look slim at this moment, one issue could cause ‘concern’ for the Black Cats.
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Sunderland face ‘concern’ over Dan Neil contract situation as Everton weigh up move
Sunderland team captain Neil has been integral so far this season, slotting in at a previously unknown defensive-midfield slot.
It was a slow start to the captain for the Black Cats skipper, but has since shown his quality under Regis Le Bris this season, making it expected that Premier League interest would arise for Neil, with Everton and West Ham showing interest in him.
Whilst Le Bris has acted relatively calm amid interest in the Sunderland midfielder, journalist Phil Smith has highlighted one issue that could cause concern.
In a recent Q&A on Sunderland Echo, Smith wrote: “It’s definitely a bit of a concern given that his contract situation remains unresolved, and he has now entered the last eighteen months of his deal. But as Le Bris explained so well in his press conference yesterday, the club has to be willing to sell in this window and the player has to want to leave.”
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Kristjaan Speakman must translate transfer ambition into offering Dan Neil fresh deal
Sunderland and Kristjaan Speakman have certainly shown ambition so far in the January transfer window, as whilst the Black Cats have only signed one player so far, the players they have been linked with has shown that they are looking for top-end Championship players.
In regards to keeping their players, Sunderland certainly is an appealing place to be, either as a player currently at the club, or alternatively, a transfer target, but Speakman may need to go above and beyond in ensuring the long term future of his top stars.
Neil, for example, has a deal that expires at the end of next season, meaning that the club are entering potentially shaky grounds in regards to his future at the club.
The cards are in Sunderland’s favour on many grounds with keeping Neil, who has been brilliant, and at time ‘elegant’ this season, but a new contract for the skipper would be a real sign of intent that the Black Cats are looking to keep hold of their top talents.