Transfer deadline day: Potential Sunderland departures

There will be outgoings at Sunderland on deadline day, perhaps more than anyone really wants. Who could be heading out the door though?

Michael Graham | Aug 31, 2023

Transfer deadline day: Potential Sunderland departures /

It's all starting to look a little messy at Sunderland, with a string of senior players expected to leave on deadline day.

What looked like a summer of fine-tunning to drive progression is quickly starting to look like an unplanned overhaul that will force the Black Cats into a season of transition instead.

There will likely be an inquest in the coming days whatever happens, but here are the potential Sunderland departures on deadline day.

Ross Stewart

It’s pretty clear by now that Ross Stewart is all but gone at this point. From the moment Southampton took an interest, with their parachute payments and hefty resources after selling many of their Premier League stars, Sunderland were never in a position to compete.

The Saints could whisper a number in the Scotsman’s ear that Sunderland could not get near in negotiations over extending his deal, and then it just became about getting as much money for him as they could.

That figure has settled at £10million after add-ons, although Ross County will be taking 15% of it.

Lynden Gooch

It’s fair to say that Lynden Gooch is practically part of the furniture at Sunderland at this point, but that will come to an end on deadline day.

The American will be staying in red and white stripes, but they will be those of Stoke City instead. He will reunite with former boss Alex Neil for a fee of around £1million.

Gooch travelled to Stoke late on Thursday night to finalise the deal, so it could get done early on deadline day.

Patrick Roberts

The one who almost no one will want to happen is Patrick Roberts. Unfortunately, Roberts himself is the one who does want it to happen, and that means there is a very good chance it will.

Like Stewart, Roberts has just one year left on his deal and that has left Sunderland lacking control over his future. Southampton want to take him to St Mary’s along with Stewart – and their financial resources will again speak volumes.

Southampton’s initial bid of around £5m was rejected, but expect them to be pushing hard for him on deadline day.

Jack Clarke

Jack Clarke’s name has also been thrown into the fray, with reports emerging that he is unhappy at being denied a move away from Sunderland this summer.

That may well be the case, and the Premier League has significant pull, but crucially with Clarke – unlike Stewart and Roberts – Sunderland control his future. He has three years left on his deal, and they can afford to sit tight and then manage the situation.

The reports of his unhappiness will have leaked out for a reason, specifically that his agent would like to encourage late bids, but there is nothing so far to suggest any kind of move is imminent.

Alex Pritchard

Alex Pritchard has been in a similar position to Lynden Gooch all summer in that he has been told his contract will not be extended beyond this season and he can find a new club if he wishes.

It will surprise no one that he has at least one offer from another Championship club, and that will mean he has a decision to make on his future. Pritchard is settled at Sunderland, so it’s far from nailed on that he leaves, but it’s a good one to keep an eye on.

Danny Batth

Veteran defender Danny Batth is another player in the Gooch/Pritchard boat, and he has his admirers too. He has already reportedly turned down a move to Blackburn, although that could easily be rekindled on deadline day.

Batth appears to be willing to back himself to get his place back in the Sunderland team and take his chances as a free agent next summer, but as desperation around the Championship increases on deadline day, there is every chance he gets an offer that he thinks is too good to turn down.