Sunderland star who Regis Le Bris called ‘perfect’ to quit club in January after update
Dan Neil must be planning a Sunderland exit in January as they take steps to sign Matteo Guendouzi from Lazio.
Dan Neil was a key part of Sunderland‘s promotion-winning side last season as he captained them to the Premier League with 48 appearances made across all competitions.
The 23-year-old midfielder was a regular for his boyhood club across numerous seasons in League One and the Championship, but things have not worked out for him in the top-flight as yet.
Neil rejected Premier League and La Liga clubs to stay at Sunderland in the summer window as he wanted to fight for his starting place, but he has only played twice in the Premier League so far this term with numerous players ahead of him in the midfield pecking order.
He must be evaluating his squad status ahead of January, and a new update on the Black Cats’ transfer plans could push him to leave amid fresh reports of interest in his services.
Neil has struggled this season and could be forced to leave if Matteo Guendouzi move comes off
Le Bris took the Sunderland captaincy off Neil and gave it to Granit Xhaka before he had even played a game for the club in the summer, which must have concerned the 23-year-old heading into his debut Premier League campaign.
Sunderland broke their transfer record to sign Habib Diarra and bolster their midfield ahead of this season, while Noah Sadiki also arrived from the continent, as well as the experienced Xhaka.
Despite wanting to stay and battle it out with those players, Neil has found it tougher than he would likely have expected to to break into Le Bris’ side amid Sunderland’s fantastic start to the season.
He has struggled with a few small injury issues, but has still only featured for just two minutes off the bench in the league so far this term, which is not enough for a player of his talent and potential.
Sunderland are now ready to offer £24million to sign Matteo Guendouzi from Lazio in January, and that is a move that seems likely to materialise given their financial issues and his existing relationship with Le Bris.
If it were to happen, that move would surely mean Neil leaves the club in the new year, and he should realistically be weighing up an exit regardless, given the circumstances he finds himself in.
Neil could be handed final Sunderland chance due to AFCON absentees
The upcoming African Cup of Nations is set to hand Neil a chance to show what he can do as the likes of Diarra and Sadiki leave the Sunderland squad for the tournament.
Le Bris spoke on the potential for the 23-year-old and other fringe teammates to get their chances, and praised Neil’s professionalism in particular this season earlier this month.
He said: “It’s an opportunity for them. At the minute, those players don’t have the opportunity but they will have a clear opportunity in that minute. They just need to work hard and be ready for that.
“It’s hard to say because when you don’t play you don’t know the output exactly, but his (Neil’s) behaviour is perfect, so I’m confident.”
The 23-year-old’s Black Cats contract is set to expire at the end of this season, and so he will need to take his chance with aplomb to stay in the side and not be let go in January, with a possible permanent exit on the horizon next summer.