What are the radical changes set for Cats?
Jon McLaughlin remains keen to resolve his contract situation at Sunderland, but admits that discussions are on standby as the current COVID-19 crisis continues.
After a stellar first campaign on Wearside, Sunderland had initially looked to try and extend McLaughlin’s twoyear deal last summer.
Initial talks were unsuccessful, with Stewart Donald then stating that he would revisit the matter upon the conclusion of the summer transfer window.
In January, concerns over the Scot’s future grew when he revealed that no subsequent talks had taken place.
McLaughlin had suffered a dip in form during the first half of the season, but bounced back strongly to firmly re-establish himself as the club’s number one.
The 32-year-old is one of twelve Sunderland players with uncertain futures as the club waits to hear whether the current season will be concluded.
The EFL have outlined proposals that could see players handed a short-term extension, but no decisions have been made and in a candid appearance in front of the DCMS committee, Chairman Rick Parry admitted that clubs will soon have a decision to make as to whether a resumption is feasible or worthwhile.
Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson said before the nationwide lockdown began that he expected all contractual decisions to be made after the club’s promotion fate was known, but McLaughlin is one player he is eager to retain.
New CEO Jim Rodwell said earlier this week that he was working on defining two potential playing budgets for next season.
McLaughlins future therefore remains uncertain.
“We haven't made any
plans, the club you are at is always the first priority,” McLaughlin told the Edinburgh Evening News.
“I have moved clubs a number of times but that was because the opportunities elsewhere were better.
“Sunderland is a massive club. If and when we can start getting promoted, you'd have to go a long way to be playing for a bigger club. I've enjoyed my time. It's still a club where I'll try to sort out different issues. We have enjoyed it here and the family like it. We didn't have to move too far down from Scotland. My kids are getting to near school age, which changes priorities and whether you are going to move them.
“The decision won't just be mine. It will be down to the club what they want to do with myself, other players, and where they are at if we do get promoted or we don't.
“It also depends what else is out there. Nobody knows what they are doing at the moment in terms of transfers and budgets. Until there are answers, I think everything is on standby.
“There are no real answers from anyone at the moment. I'm still a Sunderland player until the end of June at least. We are at the mercy of the EFL and the FA so we need to see if the season will be completed and what that means.
“We don't know if teams and players will be made to continue regardless, or if players move on whether they will be allowed to play for their new clubs with the season not completed. There are so many questions.”