Sunderland contract latest as major summer decisions loom | OneFootball

Sunderland have a raft of contract calls to make in the coming months as their push for European football continues.

Sunderland Echo notes that despite a 4-3 loss at Aston Villa on Sunday, the Black Cats are 11th, four points off sixth with one game in hand, and that place could yet become a Champions League spot depending on the Europa League outcome. Their impressive return to the top flight has been underpinned by heavy summer investment, including Brian Brobbey, Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs and Nordi Mukiele.

Contracts up in summer 2026 include Simon Moore, Bertrand Traore, loanee Lutsharel Geertruida, Dennis Cirkin, Harrison Jones, and on loan Niall Huggins, Zak Johnson and Dan Neil.

The standout decisions centre on Traore, Cirkin and Neil. Traore started brightly but has been out since early March and has only one goal this season, so it is hard to see his deal being renewed. Neil has been loaned to Ipswich Town and it has already been confirmed he will not be offered a new contract, while Cirkin has been dependable when used and could be retained as a cost effective back up, although he will want more minutes.

Geertruida has been important under Regis Le Bris, offering cover across full-back, centre-back and midfield. Sunderland would like to explore keeping him beyond his loan, though Le Bris has said it is too early to discuss that.

Attention will also turn to those entering their final year, most notably Reinildo Mandava and Luke O’Nien. Longer term, deals run to 2029 for Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Brian Brobbey and Enzo Le Fee, while contracts to 2030 include Trai Hume, Robin Roefs and Dan Ballard among others.

Source: Sunderland Echo