Sunderland have a number of key players in demand this month, in what could be a potentially perilous transfer window for the Black Cats.
Sunderland boast one of the most talented squads in the Championship, and with that comes a constant battle to keep hold of these assets.
Right now, the Black Cats have a number of players in demand; Jack Clarke being the obvious, though Anthony Patterson is now rumoured to be a target of Liverpool’s.
And the Reds have also shown an interest in Dan Neil this season, but the Black Cats academy graduate is less likely to leave this month.
Scott Wilson predicts Dan Neil exit to be ‘less likely’
Writing for The Northern Echo, journalist Scott Wilson said of this month’s transfer window:
“A bid for Dan Neil is less likely, although given the long-standing top-flight interest in the midfielder, that is hardly impossible either.”
Liverpool were apparently keen on signing Neil towards the end of the last summer transfer window, and more recently they’ve been told that it could cost upwards of £10million to sign the 22-year-old, who’s already amassed 133 first-team appearances for his boyhood club with 10 goals and 15 assists.
So far this season, Neil has featured in 26 of Sunderland’s 27 Championship games, scoring four and assisting three.
Sunderland should be more fearful of Clarke exit
Whilst Neil has suitors in the Premier League, with Liverpool not the only team linked in the past 12 months, it seems like Sunderland should be, and are more wary of Clarke’s potential exit this month.
He’s been a man in demand for a while now and after his blistering first half of the season, interest in his services seems higher than ever.
And losing him would be catastrophic to Sunderland’s survival chances. But at the same time, if the Black Cats can claim this reported £20million fee for Clarke, then it makes a lot of financial sense to move him on this month.
2024 could hold a lot of promise for Sunderland who remain in play-off contention, but it could also hold a lot of change with some key players being heavily linked with moves away.
Sunderland need to put plans in place for players like Clarke, Patterson, and Neil leaving, though right now it seems like Neil’s future at the Stadium of Light is secure.
Michael Beale‘s Sunderland go up against Hull City in the Championship on Friday night.