Which Sunderland players could leave the Stadium of Light for free this summer?
Even after losing four of their last five matches, the Black Cats remain 12th in the table, 11 points clear of the bottom three and just four adrift of seventh place. With that in mind, attention will already be turning to the summer window and what business can be done both in and out. Part of that will include sorting out the expiring contracts in Regis Le Bris’ squad.
So, who could leave Sunderland for free this summer, and what are the contract situations of the rest of the squad?
Which players could leave Sunderland for free this summer?
Simon Moore (goalkeeper, end of contract)
Bertrand Traore (winger, end of contract)
Lutsharel Geertruida (full-back, loan from RB Leipzig)
Dennis Cirkin (full-back, end of contract)
Dan Neil (midfielder, end of contract)
Harrison Jones (midfielder, end of contract)
Lutsharel Geertruida is only on loan at the Stadium of Light from RB Leipzig, and it remains to be seen whether or not Sunderland will try and sign him on a permanent basis - especially considering Liverpool’s surprise approach at the end of the January transfer window. Meanwhile, Dan Neil has departed on loan for Ipswich Town, and the club have already confirmed he won’t be getting a contract extension.
Bertrand Traore and Dennis Cirkin are the other prominent senior squad members whose deals expire this summer. The former has shown flashes of quality with his dribbling ability, but has only managed one goal so far this season, while the latter has endured restricted minutes, but provides reliable, low-cost cover at left-back. Simon Moore and Harrison Jones are very much peripheral figures and will likely depart once their deals expire.
Which Sunderland players have 18 months left on their contracts?
There are four other players in the Sunderland squad whose contracts expire in the summer of 2027. Most prominent are the situations of defenders Reinildo Mandava and Luke O’Nien. The former has been ever-present when fit and available at left-back since joining from Atletico Madrid last summer, and even though he turns 33 next season, he’ll expect an extension on current form. As for the latter, he was a key part of Sunderland’s promotion campaign and is a club stalwart, but has played just 21 minutes of Premier League football this season. He may well seek an exit in the summer if his situation doesn’t improve. Ian Poveda and Abdoullah Ba are the other players whose deals end in the summer of 2027, but Sunderland will likely look to move them out long before then.
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