‘Fresh’ Seb wants to play at highest level
sebastian Larsson says he still feels ‘fresh’ and wants to play at the highest level possible after Sunderland’s relegation.
The Swedish international is out of contract at the end of this month and is continuing to weigh up his future.
The 32-year-old suffered a disrupted season, not getting going until December because of a knee operation he underwent in the summer.
He played 23 games for the Black Cats in total as they slipped out of the Premier League after a dismal campaign.
Larsson is one of seven players out of contract, and his name was absent from Sunderland’s retained list, released on Friday, as a result.
Larsson is understood to have been offered new terms by the club, but will wait and see what other offers he has before making a decision over his future.
He said: “The motivation for me is to play at highest level possible. I feel fresh.
“I just turned 32 but feel physically no issues. I will keep going and see what options there are.”
Larsson came off the bench to play the closing stages of Sweden’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over France in Stockholm on Friday, when a stunning, last-gasp goal from former Black Cats loan flop Ola Toivonen won the day.
Birmingham City have entered the race to sign Newcastle defender Grant Hanley.
Hanley has been told he can leave United this summer, with Harry Redknapp considering a swoop for the £5.5m signing from Blackburn Rovers.
The Scotland international looked all set for a move to Derby County, until they pulled the plug on a move due to Newcastle’s valuation of the player. Instead they nabbed Curtis Davies from Hull City in a cut-price deal.
Aston Villa are another side who could move for Hanley this summer.