Sunderland duo Dennis Cirkin and Dan Neil will not sign new deals before the end of the season.
Skipper Neil came through the club’s academy and has racked up 187 appearances for the Black Cats since making his debut as a teenager in the 2020-21 campaign.
Now captain, the 23-year-old midfielder was a tentative target for Everton in the January transfer window and is also attracting interest from West Ham and Liverpool.
Left-back Cirkin – who this week pulled out of the England Under-21 squad with a hamstring injury – is another home-grown product now into his fourth full season on Wearside.
Commitment
The 22-year-old is being monitored by Tottenham, whilst Liverpool have also been linked with him in the past.
Both men are out of contract in the summer and aware of the Premier League interest.
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: “There’s no question over Dennis or Dan’s commitment to Sunderland.
“But I don’t think at the minute, it’s the right moment to be getting into too much of a conversation with them.”
The Black Cats are fourth in the Championship and almost certain to contest the play-offs.
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