Sunderland have some big decisions to make on the futures of several first-team players in the coming months. Any senior player out of contract in 2024 can start to talk to other clubs in January, and the Black Cats face losing them for free next summer.
Like any club, there are some key players whose current deal expires at the end of the season. Some, such as Bradley Dack and Corry Evans, have the option of extending the deal by a further year should all parties agree.
Others need to negotiate a new contract or start to look elsewhere for where they will be playing in the 2024-25 season. Here’s a rundown of the latest contract situation for the deal expiring next year
1.Patrick Roberts
Sunderland could have a big decision to make on the talented Roberts in January. There’s no doubting his ability, but the Black Cats have a plethora of attacking options available to them. He’s recently won his place back in the side after a string of substitute appearances and at just 26, still has plenty of years ahead of him.
2.Alex Pritchard
He almost left the club in the summer, but no one came in with a suitable offer. However, that could change in January, especially as he continues to impress in red-and-white. Pritchard will turn 31 next March and is not guaranteed gametime – although he has not wasted the chances he’s been given this term.
3.Bradley Dack
Dack arrived from Blackburn Rovers in August on a one-year deal but there is an option of extending his contract to a second year. Tony Mowbray is a big fan, of course, and the 29-year-old has shown glimpses of what he can do before injury kept him out of recent encounters. There’s less pressure on this one with the extension clause.
4.Corry Evans
A cruciate ligament injury has meant Sunderland fans have not seen Evans in action since the win over Middlesbrough way back in January. The Black Cats have done well to cope without him, with the likes of Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah stepping up. Now 33, Evans will want to prove his fitness as soon as he can. However, there is an option to extend his current deal by a further 12 months.
5.Mason Burstow
The on-loan Chelsea forward will spend the season at Sunderland before returning to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
6.Ellis Taylor
Taylor’s contract runs out next summer and, so far, the academy graduate has made just a handful of appearances for the club in cup competitions. But he was on the bench several times last season, he was again an unused sub for the recent Championship game against Southampton, and further down the line he may be handed his league debut.
This is a big season for the 20-year-old as he looks to prove he can make the step up to Championship football and earn a new deal.
