FC Koln 'hold initial talks' over Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil | OneFootball

FC Koln have shown interest in Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil and initial discussions have taken place, according to Sky Sports Germany.

The 24-year-old faces an uncertain future on Wearside. Summer arrivals Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki have reduced his minutes, and across the first 21 Premier League fixtures he has featured for only 13 minutes.

His contract at the Stadium of Light expires this summer and there has been no firm sign of an extension. A departure in the coming months therefore feels increasingly plausible.

In England, Championship leaders Coventry City are said to be keen, while in Scotland Rangers are also understood to be pursuing a move. Clubs in the Bundesliga and in England are also monitoring the situation.

A product of Sunderland’s academy, Neil became a first team regular and captained his boyhood side to promotion via the Championship play-offs last season.

After last year’s dramatic semi-final win over Coventry, he said the occasion meant everything, that leading the team at Wembley was beyond anything he imagined, and that inconsistency had hampered a push for the top two. He added that such nights are rare.

Source: Sunderland Echo