How much Coventry City may have to pay Sunderland AFC’s Dan Neil in wages if he signs | OneFootball

Frank Lampard’s side have been linked with a move for the former Black Cats captain

Coventry City are said to be considering a move for Sunderland’s Dan Neil, in what could prove to be a shrewd move for the Sky Blues.

It was reported earlier this week by TEAMtalk that the Black Cats are ready to cash in on their former captain, who played an instrumental role in their promotion from the second tier last season before losing his captaincy to Granit Xhaka and finding regular game-time hard to come by.

Everton, Aston Villa, West Ham and Roma were all said to be keen on the midfielder in the summer, but the 24-year-old’s progress has slowed, gaining just two Premier League minutes so far this season.

Due to that, a move back to the Championship with Coventry has potential, and it could be a financially smart move for the Sky Blues.

How much Coventry City may have to pay Sunderland's Dan Neil in wages

Often the first consideration for clubs, before going in to try and negotiate a fee, is whether the prospective player would fit into their wage structure.

According to estimates from Capology, Neil current earns £15,000 per week under his current Sunderland deal, with an additional £195,000 available each year in bonus payments.

Coventry have four players (Luke Woolfenden, Matt Grimes, Ellis Simms and Haji Wright) on £25,000 per week, based on estimates from the same site, with Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Brandon Thomas-Asante both level with or above the £15,000 mark.

That means that even if Sky Blues opt to offer Neil a pay rise to convince him to drop down a level, he could still comfortably fit within the wage structure at the CBS Arena.

Neil last extended his Sunderland deal in March 2023, in a contract that is set to expire next summer.

That means that, unless they can tie the midfielder to a new deal, the upcoming January window offers the last chance for Sunderland to “cash-in” on Neil, as the TEAMtalk report states the club are keen to do.

Coventry will be alive to that situation, but will surely be eager to bring him in for the remainder of this season, to assist with their shock promotion and league-title push.

That means that both sides have motivation to come to the negotiating table before Neil’s contract runs out, but Sunderland are in a comparatively weak position, as everyone knows this is likely their last chance to extract a fee.

The Sky Blues could be in line to bag a bargain.

Dan Neil could offer Coventry City plenty

Although Neil has not made the landing stick so far in the Premier League, it doesn’t mean his work in the Championship should be discounted.

He captained the Black Cats to promotion at a very young age, starting 44 of the club’s 46 league games, and all three in the play-offs, which ended in victory at Wembley against Sheffield United.

Neil was a crucial part of Regis Le Bris’ side, but has faced a huge challenge following a summer of heavy recruitment by Sunderland, with Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki and Xhaka all recruited in the centre of the pitch.

It was always going to be tricky for Neil to compete, meaning a parting of the ways could be the best for both Sunderland and Neil, and provide a huge boost to Coventry in their promotion hopes.