As the season ground to an unwanted end with play-off semi final defeat, Sunderland released the retained list and of course we now go into the summer which always guarantees a hotbed of transfer rumours so here's a helpful guide to what is being said this week and we must stress, these are only rumours!!
CHARLIE WYKE
The big frontman netted 30 goals this season in League 1 for Sunderland this season which has promoted interest from the Championship and from north of the border in the SPL. The Boro academy graduate has been linked with his boyhood club as Neil Warnock looks to assemble his squad to push for promotion next season on Teesside. However, there are also rumours linking Big Chas with Ipswich Town and Scottish Premier League runners-up, Celtic who look to strengthen their side after falling short of Rangers in the race for the title this season. He has also attracted interest from Championship outfits Millwall, Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City. Wyke has been offered a new deal to stay on Wearside but only time will tell whether or not our top scorer will remain at the club beyond this summer as his contract is up.
LUKE O'NIEN
Another player to have been offered improved terms by the club is utility man and fans favourite Luke O'Nien, the central midfielder by trade has found himself at right back and centre half this season but has impressed at whichever he's played in. However, as Sunderland failed to get out of the third tier of English football, interest from the Championship was inevitable and he's been linked with a move to Preston North End, Millwall, Luton Town and also Middlesbrough. Probably one of the most versatile players at the club, he notched up 40 league appearances this season on Wearside and has made an impression on Sunderland fans since signing from Wycombe 3 years ago, the 26 year old will very much be missed should he decide to move on but we imagine most fans will feel he deserves to be playing at a higher level and certainly warrants a place in any Championship starting XI. O'Nien isn't out of contract so Lee Johnson may be able to cash in on him but we would highly doubt that the gaffer would want to ship the fans favourite.
JOSH HAWKES
Another Sunderland player linked with the Tractor Boys, Hawkes has been instrumental in the under 23s' success this season, scoring crucial goals which helped them to the play-off final of the second division of youth football, only to lose on penalties to Crystal Palace. Hawkes has also attracted some interest from the Premier League, former Sunderland boss David Moyes is rumoured to be interested in the midfielder and wants to bring him to the Olympic Stadium. Crystal Palace are also thought to have taken an interest in the promising youngster but uncertainty surrounds Selhurst Park following Roy Hodgson's retirement. Leeds and Newcastle were linked with Hawkes last season and are suggested still to have a chance at signing him. He only signed for Sunderland last summer from Hartlepool United but has been a beacon of hope in the academy squad this season but the 22 year old, who only has a year left on his contract, has a decision to make to whether or not stay at the Stadium of Light.
WILL GRIGG
A player some found surprising to be included on Lee Johnson's retained list, the exiled striker has been on loan at MK Dons since January after failing to make an impression on Wearside after his £2m move from Wigan. There may be method in his madness though as the boss may potentially see Grigg as an option next season or a way to cash in on the Northern Irishman who found a bit form in Buckinghamshire, which could potentially add to his transfer pool. Grigg seemed to like his temporary move away, saying, “It’s felt like home and that’s partly down to the fans – even though they haven’t been here, you see the messages they send in. It felt great right from that very first week and that didn’t change.”
