There are some big calls to make over the long-term future of several members of the Sunderland squad.
Sunderland still have two weeks to wait until they return to their push for a European place - but there is still plenty of hard work going on behind the scenes at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats are still basking in the glory of last weekend’s Tyne-Wear derby win at St James Park as Brian Brobbey’s late goal helped Regis Le Bris’ men complete a league double over Newcastle United. The win almost meant Sunderland leapfrogged their arch rivals in the table and moved to within three points of the top seven and they are just a further three points from the top five.
There are still seven games remaining in what has already been a remarkable season with home clashes against Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Chelsea and away days at Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton on the agenda before the campaign comes to a close in May. That means there are still more than enough points to play for as Le Bris looks to become only the second Sunderland manager to lead the club into European competition and the first since Bob Stokoe in 1973.
However, there are a number of major calls for the Black Cats hierarchy to make as the summer draws ever closer with several members of Le Bris’ squad now heading into the final months of their current contracts. There was a major boost earlier this month when key defender Dan Ballard put pen-to-paper on a new long-term deal at the Stadium of Light - but which other players are facing decisions over their long-term futures on Wearside?
When do the contracts of current Sunderland players come to an end?
Summer 2026: Simon Moore, Bertrand Traore, Lutsharel Geertruida (loan), Dennis Cirkin, Harrison Jones, Niall Huggins*, Zak Johnson*, Dan Neil* Summer 2027: Reinildo Mandava, Luke O’Nien, Abdoullah Ba, Alan Browne*, Nazariy Rusyn*, Arthur Masuaku*, Aji Alese* Summer 2028: Granit Xhaka, Wilson Isidor, Romaine Mundle, Milan Aleksic, Ahmed Abdullahi, Luis Semedo*, Jenson Seelt*, Timothee Pembele, Anthony Patterson*, Leo Hjelde* Summer 2029: Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Brian Brobbey, Enzo Le Fee Summer 2030: Trai Hume, Robin Roefs, Simon Adingra*, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi, Habib Diarra, Chris Rigg, Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard, Melkor Ellborg, Jocelin Ta Bi, Nilson Angulo
* Player out on loan
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