Sunderland bid to rip up Rodwell deal

SUNDERLAND have offered to rip up the contract of £10million midfielder Jack Rodwell, who has 18 months left on the £70,000-a-week deal he signed in 2014. The Black Cats are desperate to offload Rodwell, 26, and after the former England international asked to leave this month, they told him he was free to go, although there would be no pay-off. That would mean Rodwell forgoing around £5m in wages and it is unlikely he will leave without agreeing a financial settlement. Sunderland cannot afford that and there remains a chance Rodwell will continue to pick up his sizeable salary while not featuring in Chris Coleman’s team. There was no relegation clause in Rodwell’s contract and he was the only player who did not take a pay cut after last season’s relegation. It is claimed at Sunderland that Rodwell is not doing enough to get fit.