Sunderland were able to fight off summer interest in winger Patrick Roberts and keep him on their roster for the next season.
Since joining the Stadium of Light, the 26-year-old has rekindled his career, and his form has not gone unnoticed.
Roberts entered the final year of his contract in the summer, which prompted increased attention, with Championship rivals Southampton being the most interested.
The Saints signed Ross Stewart from the Black Cats, and they were also interested in signing Roberts, but their £5 million bid was refused.
Sunderland were able to fight off summer interest in winger Patrick Roberts and keep him on their roster for the next season.
Since joining the Stadium of Light, the 26-year-old has rekindled his career, and his form hasn’t gone unnoticed.
In the summer, Roberts entered the final year of his contract, which prompted increased attention, with Championship rivals Southampton being the most interested.
The Saints recruited Ross Stewart from the Black Cats, and they were also interested in signing Roberts, but their £5 million bid was turned down.
Even if they were unable to reach an agreement, Southampton’s pursuit is not finished, with the Sunday Mirror Sports Editor Darren Witcoop stating that the Saints are keeping an eye on Roberts’ status, with his contract expiring in June 2024 unless he signs a new term.
So, with the news that Southampton haven’t given up on signing Roberts, our writers at Football League World have offered their thoughts on whether Sunderland should sell the winger in January.
Brett Worthington
Sunderland face a difficult January transfer window if a new contract with Roberts cannot be agreed upon ahead of time, as they may be forced to sell him.
Sunderland will not want Roberts to stay at the club for the rest of the season and run his contract down.
Given that they rejected bids in the summer, they clearly believed they could still convince the player to sign a new contract.
However, as of this writing, that has yet to materialize, and as we draw closer to January, it appears like the Black Cats may have to sell the winger in order for him to go on a free transfer.
Tony Mowbray and Sunderland will be hoping that doesn’t happen, but if there isn’t a breakthrough, there doesn’t seem to be much purpose in Sunderland keeping the 26-year-old past January, when he is set to leave at the end of the season.
It is unclear what Sunderland would demand for the player, but considering that they rejected a £5 million bid in the summer, they certainly value him a lot more. However, with six months left on his contract, it is increasingly doubtful that Southampton or any other team would pay that money or anything else in January.
Sam Rourke
Patrick Roberts has continued his good form from last season in this season, thus Sunderland are unlikely to let him go in January.
His and Jack Clarke, in particular, provide Tony Mowbray’s team with creativity, finesse, and the ability to create opportunities and unlock opponent defenses, all of which are rare and immensely vital to a promotion-chasing side like Sunderland.
Given Roberts’ contract predicament, it would not be surprising to see Southampton make a fresh bid for the ex-Celtic man in the January window, although it appears the Saints will have to pay more than the £5m that was made and ultimately rejected in the summer.
On his day, Roberts can be one of the best midfielders in the division, so Sunderland should do everything they can to lock him down to a new contract before January.
You have to ask why it has taken so long for the club to sign a new contract for Roberts, which signals that a move elsewhere in the new year cannot be ruled out.
Louis-Dreyfus, in my opinion, must resolve everything as soon as possible and sign a new contract with Southampton.
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