Sunderland’s meticulous squad planning orchestrated by sporting director Kristjaan Speakman and head of recruitment Stuart Harvey has ensured that no player will be without a contract come the summer of 2025.
However, there are still some contract uncertainties looming. Dan Neil and Dennis Cirkin will both enter the final year of their contracts in the upcoming off-season. Currently, only four players are scheduled to leave Sunderland once their loan spells end. Here is a breakdown of the situation:
Salis Abdul Samed
Salis Abdul Samed, the Ghanaian midfielder on loan from RC Lens, has had a challenging season at Sunderland due to injuries. With his loan deal coming to an end, he is expected to return to RC Lens, where his contract runs until 2028. It seems unlikely that he will be brought back by the Black Cats.
Jayden Danns
Injured during his loan spell at Sunderland, 19-year-old forward Jayden Danns has returned to Liverpool to fully recover. It is possible that he may be loaned out again, with Sunderland potentially being a destination, depending on their league status next season.
Chris Mepham
Defender Chris Mepham has been a crucial player for Sunderland this season, making 35 league appearances and scoring once. While there is no automatic purchase option in his loan agreement, both Mepham and the club are open to making the move permanent, particularly if promotion is achieved.
Tommy Watson
Homegrown winger Tommy Watson is set to move to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee, with a reported sell-on clause of around 20%. Despite some mixed reactions from Sunderland fans, his winning goal at Wembley against Sheffield United has helped mend any hard feelings.
