FLW takes a look at the players who will leave the Stadium of Light in 2024
Sunderland will hope to maintain their drive for the play-offs this season after the January transfer window closes.
The Black Cats were managed to maintain top scorer Jack Clarke despite reported interest from West Ham, Wolves, Crystal Palace, Brentford, and Serie A club Lazio.
Michael Beale’s squad is doing well not only on the pitch, but also with their clear transfer strategy, which has centered on adding outstanding young players.
Part of the technique requires the club to safeguard all of its assets, which they have done in general, with all of their key players having multiple years remaining on their contracts.
Sunderland players with expiring contracts.
After allowing midfielder Alex Pritchard to leave for Birmingham City in January, a player whose contract with the club expired in the summer, three players remain at the Stadium of Light who could leave when their current contracts expire.
The former Blackburn man reunited with former boss Tony Mowbray
earlier this year, agreeing a one-year deal, with Sunderland also having the option to extend his contract by 12 months.
So, whilst Dack is technically going to be available on a free as it stands, that situation could change if the Wearside outfit decides to trigger the option.
Ultimately, it’s going to be down to the player to show why the club should do just that. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to do much so far, with injuries restricting Dack to a handful of appearances, although he is set to return this month after picking up a hamstring problem in Sunderland’s Boxing Day win over Hull City.
While he was a player admired by Mowbray and was a big reason he decided to join the football club, it remains unclear if he is firmly within the new Sunderland manager’s plans going forward.
Corry Evans
Evans was a consistent player for Sunderland after signing from Blackburn Rovers in 2021, appearing 36 times as the club gained promotion from League One.
However, his season was cut short over a year ago due to a devastating knee injury sustained during a victory over Middlesbrough, which was a big setback for both the player and the Black Cats, who missed the 33-year-old’s leadership abilities.
Evans is still yet to return to the first-team picture as of February’s start, despite being predicted to be available for the start of 2024.
Due to the injury, it would appear to be very difficult for Evans to earn a new deal having signed a one-year extension last February, but his value around the training ground and his experience means another short-term contract can’t be totally ruled out. However, it’s something that is unlikely to be sorted until closer to the summer.
Ellis Taylor
The 20-year-old generated a lot of buzz when he signed a three-year professional contract with the club in 2021.
And, while he has gone on to play for the first team, it’s fair to say he hasn’t had the impact that many expected.
That is not to say Taylor lacks promise, but others appear to have moved ahead of him in the pecking order.
Mowbray clearly rated the midfielder during his time in command, as he made the bench this season but did not play.
