Major Sunderland contract decisions loom as eight deals expire in 2026 | OneFootball

Sunderland face a pivotal summer of contract decisions, with eight players currently due to reach the end of their deals in 2026.

According to Sunderland Echo, the 2026 group comprises Simon Moore, Bertrand Traore, loanee Lutsharel Geertruida, Dennis Cirkin, Harrison Jones, Niall Huggins, Zak Johnson and Dan Neil, with Huggins, Johnson and Neil currently out on loan.

Regis Le Bris’ side have a fortnight before their European push resumes, still buoyed by last weekend’s Tyne-Wear derby win at St James' Park, sealed by a late winner to complete a league double over Newcastle United. The result left them within three points of the top seven, and three more from the top five.

Seven games remain, with home matches against Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Chelsea, and trips to Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton before May. Le Bris is aiming to become only the second Sunderland manager to take the club into Europe and the first since Bob Stokoe in 1973.

There has already been one major boost this month, with Dan Ballard signing a new long-term deal. Contracts running to 2027 include Reinildo Mandava, Luke O’Nien and Abdoullah Ba, while players out on loan such as Alan Browne, Nazariy Rusyn, Arthur Masuaku and Aji Alese are also listed.

The 2028 cohort includes Granit Xhaka and Timothee Pembele, 2029 covers Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Brian Brobbey and Enzo Le Fee, and 2030 features longer deals for Trai Hume, Chris Rigg and Dan Ballard.

Source: Sunderland Echo