Sunderland are ready to part ways with winger Aiden McGeady this summer as the ex-Preston wide man prepares to become a free agent.
That’s according to The Sun, who claim that Sunderland are ready to axe McGeady at the end of the season.
It’s claimed that Sunderland want to trim their wage bill whether they win promotion or not, with McGeady one of the biggest earners.
Lynden Gooch and Lee Burge could be on their way out too, but it’s McGeady who would be something of a headline exit.
McGeady is one of the highest earners at Sunderland and can leave for nothing at the end of the season.
Having been out of contract at the end of last season, McGeady signed a new one-year deal with the Black Cats.
The Irish winger has recorded three goals and four assists this season but has played just 14 league games for Sunderland this term.
Now 35, it seems that Sunderland think McGeady wouldn’t be value for money with a contract extension.
This ultimately means that McGeady may not have long left under Alex Neil in an ironic turn of events.
After McGeady became a Preston favourite during his 2016-17 loan spell at Deepdale, North End tried to sign him permanently.
McGeady wanted to sign but a deal couldn’t be done. Then, the manager who signed McGeady – Simon Grayson – quit North End for Sunderland.
In came Neil, and whilst Preston fans still wanted him to sign McGeady, the winger ended up following Grayson to Sunderland instead.
McGeady’s wing wizardry will always be remembered at Preston, even if things turned a little ugly in 2017.
That’s not to say that McGeady should be targeted on a free transfer should Sunderland release him, but it will be fascinating to see where such a talented player turns up towards the end of his career.