The three major contract calls Florent Ghisolfi now has to make at Sunderland | OneFootball

Sunderland face three major contract decisions after clinching European qualification. According to Sunderland Echo, Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi, with head coach Regis Le Bris, must settle the futures of Lutsharel Geertruida, Bertrand Traore and Dennis Cirkin while preparing for the Europa League.

The call is whether to trigger a purchase option for Geertruida, who was dependable across the campaign and outstanding lately, yet close to a January loan to Liverpool and outside Le Bris’s first-choice XI for long spells. With a sizeable fee, his push for regular starts and other needs in the squad, a permanent stay has lately been viewed as very unlikely, though European football and a live clause could yet change matters. Early prediction: he departs, with scope for a late U-turn.

Extending Traore once looked straightforward after his deadline-day arrival and strong pre-AFCON form, but two knee injuries since left him with one brief March cameo at Elland Road, with Jocelin Ta Bi and Nilson Angulo preferred. Given his wages, likely recruitment and the need to blood youngsters, Sunderland must weigh balance against proven quality. Early prediction: Traore departs.

Cirkin impressed when Reinildo went to AFCON in December, though injuries interrupted him. A new deal would help UEFA homegrown quotas and provide left-sided cover, yet availability concerns and his wish to be first choice remain live. Early prediction: a departure is likelier, though the European schedule gives both sides something to ponder.

Further ins and outs are expected as fringe players assess minutes.

Source: Sunderland Echo