Sunderland contract calls loom as six face summer exits, including 1.97 dribbles per 90 winger | OneFootball

Sunderland face key summer decisions with six players out of contract or on loan, raising the risk of free departures.

Sunderland Echo notes that Sunderland have nine games left in their first top-flight season since 2017. They are 11th on 40 points after a 1-0 win at Leeds United, level with Fulham and Bournemouth, four points off seventh and 12 clear of the drop.

Those at risk are Simon Moore, Bertrand Traore, Dennis Cirkin, Dan Neil and Harrison Jones, all out of contract, plus full-back Lutsharel Geertruida, on loan from RB Leipzig.

Geertruida’s loan ends in the summer and a permanent return is unclear, not least after Liverpool’s shock January interest and only 12 Premier League starts. Traore signed a one-year deal and, despite 1.97 successful dribbles per 90 minutes, has been a bit-part option, with one goal and zero assists in 12 outings, so an extension looks unlikely.

Neil left on loan to Ipswich Town in January and is already confirmed to leave in the summer. Moore and Jones will surely leave. Cirkin’s future is less certain, the 23-year-old academy graduate has featured only eight times this season yet offers inexpensive depth, and must weigh a back-up role against seeking regular minutes.

Further out, Reinildo Mandava, Luke O’Nien and Abdoullah Ba are contracted until summer 2027. Mandava has been a mainstay at left-back when fit since arriving from Atletico Madrid last summer and, though he turns 33 next season, he will expect an extension on current form. O’Nien has logged only 111 Premier League minutes and may seek an exit if nothing changes, while Ba is likely to be moved on well before 2027.

Source: Sunderland Echo