Watmore one of five to leave as Sunderland name their retained list
Duncan Watmore is one of five Sunderland players who will be released when their contracts expire at the end of this month.
JackBaldwin,AlimOzturk, JoelLynchandacademygraduate Ethan Robson will also depart.
As part of their retained list, Sunderland have also confirmed that they wish to secure new contracts for Jon McLaughlin, Chris Maguire and Tom Flanagan. They will remain at the club if a new agreement can be reached.
McLaughlin has interest fromanumberofclubsfollowingtwoseasonsattheStadium of Light, including Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
With negotiations having previouslyfailedtobringabout a positive resolution, there are majordoubtsoverthe32-yearold's future on Wearside.
Baldwindepartsafteraloan spellatSalfordCity,whileboth Ozturk and Lynch were regularsatonestageduringthecurrent campaign.
Ozturk will leave having made 45 appearances in all competitions across two seasons, while Lynch made 21 appearances in the current campaign.
Ethan Robson was recalled from a hugely successful loan spellatGrimsbyTowninJanuary as injury cover, but has not made an appearance under Phil Parkinson.
Having been at the club for the entirety of his career to date, he leaves having made nine senior appearances for his boyhood club.
Watmore made 22 appearances this season as he continues his long-term recovery from two major ACL injuries.
The26-year-oldwasthelast player at the club on a contract signed in the Premier League era, albeit one heavily reduced as a result of the club's consecutive relegations. He scored eight goals during his sevenyearassociationwiththeBlack Cats.
Theretainedlistunderlines thescaleoftherebuildingchallenge ahead for Sunderland this summer.
Not including the three players offered new deals, there are currently just 13 senior players contracted to the club for next season.
One of those, Aiden McGeady, is highly likely to leave.
JanuarysigningJoshScowen will remain at the club after the clause in his 18-month deal which allowed Championship clubstoswoopintheeventthat Sunderland were not promoted expired. Sunderland are likely to monitor the availabilityofBaileyWright,whowillofficially leave Bristol City at the end of this month.