Is Dan Neil set for an emotional farewell after eight incredible years at Sunderland?
Former Sunderland captain and local hero, Dan Neil, is on the radar of many European teams, as he looks set to leave his boyhood club this month.
After captaining the club to promotion to the Premier League in May, Neil has only played 13 minutes of Premier League football, with FC Koln, Rangers, West Ham and Roma all reportedly interested.
Sunderland have made the decision to keep Romaine Mundle on Wearside while boyhood midfielder Dan Neil is likely to leave this transfer window with FC Koln intrigued alongside West Ham, who are thought to have held a long-term interest 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ZBGuom2fgG
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 14, 2026
Neil’s only start of the season came in an EFL Cup game against Huddersfield back in August, but the performances of Granit Xhaka, who demoted Neil as captain in the summer, and Noah Sadiki have limited the midfielder’s game time.
The 24-year-old is out of contract in the summer, but reports elsewhere suggest that Rangers, FC Koln and West Ham have all expressed interest in the midfielder.
Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Lee Cattermole, former club captain and teammate of Neil, said: “If he does leave, I will be gutted.
“He hasn’t had a chance to show himself, because people write people off before they have even had a chance to kick a ball.”
Last year, Neil played 48 matches across all competitions, scoring a vital goal in the away win against Middlesbrough and another in a 3-2 win away at Swansea while assisting three.
He captained the side in May’s memorable play-off final, becoming the first local Sunderland player to captain his side at Wembley since 1985, when 20-year-old Barry Venison walked the Black Cats out under the Wembley arch in the League Cup final, and the first homegrown player to lead Sunderland to victory in nearly 90 years since the great Raich Carter.
Neil’s lack of minutes this season has been somewhat surprising, even more so recently due to the absences of six key players during the African Cup of Nations.
Many supporters were expecting the midfielder to get a run-out as spaces opened up in the squad; however, Regis Le Bris seemingly favoured others, with Lutsharel Geertruida being a starter alongside Chris Rigg – a fellow local player who shone in the Championship last season.
Neil’s absence from the starting 11 in Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Everton suggests Regis Le Bris has made up his mind on the 24-year-old.
Over his Sunderland career, Neil mustered over 200 appearances, helping his side from the depths of League One all the way to the heights of the Premier League.
If he was to leave, it would be a real shame to see such a heroic journey end in such a disappointing way.
