Celtic transfer revelation may have devastating knock-on effect for Sunderland this summer

Sunderland could lose one of their key players this summer, but it may depend on what Celtic do in the transfer market.

Sunderland face a very testing summer both on and off the pitch, with noise around their ongoing managerial search currently hogging the headlines.

Liam Rosenior is being strongly linked. But Rosenior also has interest from Burnley, so it could mean that Sunderland are once again back at square one, almost four months after they sacked Michael Beale.

On the pitch, whoever the next Sunderland manager is may inherit a very depleted first-team squad.

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus appears likely to cash in on some of Sunderland’s valuable player assets this summer with names like Jack Clarke, Jobe Bellingham, and several others wanted by other clubs.

It could mean a lot of money incoming for Sunderland. But Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman will surely be wary of striking a balance, and giving the club’s next manager the players needed to challenge for promotion next season.

Another player wanted elsewhere is Dan Neil; the Sunderland academy graduate has been linked with Southampton following their promotion to the Premier League last season.

Celtic transfer revelation could mean bad news for Sunderland

Southampton appear to be in the market for a central midfielder this summer, with Neil and Celtic’s Matt O’Riley both linked.

O’Riley has an apparent £30million price tag on his head. But he now has interest from Italian giants Roma.

It’s claimed that Roma have joined a growing list of teams interested in signing Danish midfielder O’Riley from Celtic this summer, with an unnamed, top Bundesliga club also keen.

That could blow Southampton out of the water. It could also mean the Saints turning their attentions elsewhere, and turning their attentions to another central midfielder in Neil.

This emerging O’Riley story also comes after news that 22-year-old Neil has rejected the offer of a new Sunderland contract.

He remains under contract at the Stadium of Light until 2026.

Will Sunderland lose Dan Neil this summer

Southampton missing out on O’Riley and turning their attentions to Neil, who now appears to be weighing up his future, may be logical for the Saints.

Although a different type of player to O’Riley, he’s another central midfielder who can score and create goals and he’d cost Southampton significantly less than what O’Riley would.

Neil has 149 Sunderland appearances to his name, with 10 goals and 17 assists, making him very experienced for his age.

He showed in the Championship last season that he’s a player who continues to improve every season and a step up to the Premier League with Southampton, whilst a definite step up, might be the next logical move for Neil.

How much Sunderland might command for him remains to be seen; reports of both Clarke and Bellingham being valued at £20million could be a ballpark figure for Neil also.

Expect Sunderland to be paying close attention to the goings on at Celtic and Southampton, with the latter clearly wanting a new central midfielder this summer, and clearly liking Neil.

If O’Riley leaves Celtic in the coming weeks, it could see Neil’s links to Southampton pick up.