Donald: Players’ lack of desire to stay means busy summer ahead
Stewart Donald has told fans to expect a significant number of comings and goings this summer, and added that ‘not many’ of the current squad had expressed a desire to stay on Wearside.
The Sunderland chairman said that the club did not need to sell any player who wanted to stay, but that those were low in numbers.
Responding to questions from fans on Twitter, Donald said: “Facts are there are very, very few players who have indicated they wish to stay with the club next season.
“So it is fair to expect a lot of comings and goings in the next few weeks. We do not need to sell any player who shows a desire to stay – but there aren’t many of those!
“Not many of our current playing squad fancy playing League One football regardless of how or why we find ourselves at this level – albeit the agents are talking for some of them!!
“I am sure some will stay and be happy to do so. We will see.”
Sunderland have already rejected bids for Northern Ireland midfielder Paddy McNair, while Didier Ndong’s proposed moved to Torino collapsed, with the Gabon international midfielder unable to agree personal terms.
New manager Jack Ross has begun the process of speaking to players in the current squad ahead of what is set to be a major rebuild this summer.
He said: “Modern players use agents and representatives and communicate messages in different ways, but they’ve had dialogue with me in that respect.
“And also, it lets me, I wouldn’t say get a feel, as I probably already know where a lot of players are at, but there are players who would probably prefer their futures elsewhere.
“Equally, there are some who will still be with us come the start of pre-season, so I need to make sure we had some sort of dialogue in the first instance.
“That’s part of the challenges of the job at the moment because to predict what we’ll have with any certainty at the start of preseason is a little bit difficult, but we will get there.
“We’ve still got a bit of time ahead of ourselves.”
Sunderlandarecontinuing to work on incoming transfers and were interested in Ross County right-back Jason Naismith. But the 23-year-old former St Mirren defender has joined League One rivals Peterborough, signing a three-year deal with Posh.
Naismith, who made 57 appearances for Ross County,, said: “When I spoke to the manager (Steve Evans), he told me about his plans and I am looking forward to getting started,” he said. “It has been a bit of a whirlwind to get everything done, but I wanted to sign and I am looking forward to it.” Posh assistant manager Paul Raynor said: “We are delighted. This is a big one for us. We have sold him the dream of what we want to achieve here.
“I like a full-back who can get forward and support the attack and Jason fits the bill. Allied to that, he is a very good defender, he is a powerful player, a physical presence and a real leader on the pitch.”