It is been reported that four players are close to the exit door at Sunderland to allow more players to come in.
Manager Dick Advocaat is still wishing to add a creative midfielder and a striker ahead of the new season. However, players will need to be sold to reduce the wage bill to allow more summer spending and the Dutch coach has identified players that he feels are no longer required.
The Northern Echo have claimed that Will Buckley, Steven Fletcher, Liam Bridcutt and Danny Graham all face the chop at the Stadium of Light.
Former Championship duo fail to shine
It won’t be a surprise for Sunderland fans that Bridcutt and Buckley are on that shortlist as they have failed to impress after been signed by former boss Gus Poyet. Bridcutt was brought in for £2.5million back in January 2014 but has failed to impress Advocaat, starting just one match in the last nine that he took charge of at the end of last season.
Buckley has been in a similar situation since his £2.5m from Brighton and Hove Albion last summer, making just two appearances since Poyet’s dismissal. Both have been linked with a move with a move back to the Sky Bet Championship with Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday linked with Bridcutt and Buckley respectively.
Fletcher deal falls through
Fletcher and Graham have fallen down the pecking order on Wearside with Jermain Defoe and Connor Wickham ahead of them and Advocaat keen on bringing another forward into the club.
It is believed that Scottish champions Celtic matched a valuation for Fletcher earlier in the summer but they could not match the wage demands of the Scottish international, causing the deal to fall through.
Youth keeper looking for a loan deal
Another player that could leave the Black Cats on a temporary basis is youth keeper Jordan Pickford. Former Manchester City keeper Costel Pantilimon has firmly cemented his place as number one, which means a lack of game time for the 21-year-old.
The keeper was on loan at Bradford City last season and Sunderland will be looking to loan him out again to aid his development with a host of Championship clubs reportedly interested.