Jeremy Doku of Belgium battles for the ball with Chris Mepham of Wales
Jeremy Doku of Belgium battles for the ball with Chris Mepham of Wales
Sunderland's quest to sign defender Chris Mepham on a permanent deal from Bournemouth has hit a huge stumbling block. The 27-year-old played a major role in helping the Black Cats secure promotion to the Premier League while on loan from the Cherries.
Now Mepham’s future is in doubt after his parent club made a decision on the player.
Bournemouth published their retained and released player list on Monday and Mepham has been included on the retained list.
It indicates that Bournemouth have decided to take up their option to extend Mepham’s contract for a further season, which had initially been set to expire at the end of this month.
While Mepham is still widely expected to leave the club this summer having been on the fringes of the first-team squad in recent times, it won’t now be on a free transfer which would have been the preferred scenario.
Bournemouth clearly want a fee and are likely now to make sure that happens if he moves on.
Mepham was a major success on Wearside last season so it is no surprise the south coast club want to retain an interest.
He made 40 appearances as the Black Cats won promotion back to the Premier League. As well as performing well on the pitch, he became an influential figure in the dressing room and was praised for his influence by both coaching staff and team mates alike.
Sunderland would therefore be open to bringing him back to the club next season, but they now have a difficult decision to make as to whether the deal will represent the best value in the transfer market this summer.
Mepham will also have a big decision to make as time progresses as to what is the best move for him and his prospects of getting regular playing time, particularly as there were multiple occasions where head coach Régis Le Bris preferred a defensive partnership of Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien.
The Wales international replaced the injured O’Nien in the eighth minute of the play-off final, as Sunderland beat Sheffield United 2-1 at Wembley.
He had been left out of both semi-finals against Coventry City.
Black Cats back in the Premier League
Sunderland are back in the Premier League!
The Black Cats defied the odds with their stunning play-off win over Sheffield United at Wembley and are now preparing for life in the top flight once again.
In this Journal special edition, we look at the key moments behind Sunderland's Premier League return, we have reaction from players and staff, look ahead to next season and celebrate that amazing day at Wembley.
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