This Sunderland Midfielder is In High Demand

Wearside Exit Inevitable for Promotion Hero

The transfer rumor whirlwind is in full flow, and this player has received a lot of interest in recent weeks. An integral asset of The Black Cats' promotion season, but playtime has been minimal since making the step up to the Premier League.

Previous links for a move to Italy have seemed to die out, but a return to the Championship may well be on the cards. For a player who knows what it takes to make the step up, this seems like a very smart move for a side with their eyes firmly set on returning to the top tier for the first time in over 20 years.

Sunderland are ready to sell in January to make further improvements and @TEAMtalk sources can reveal that former captain Dan Neil is set to be the first departure.https://t.co/xrK3fgDwPd

— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) December 12, 2025

The Appeal for Neil

Dan Neil has registered no more than two minutes of Premier League football so far this season, his only notable display being in the shock EFL Cup exit to Huddersfield Town. The versatile midfielder featured in all but one of Sunderland's Championship matches last season, claiming two goals and three assists in this time. Neil made his way through the Sunderland ranks, having been a product of their academy and has proven to be a reliable figure. A player who very rarely has trouble with injury will be crucial for Coventry City, who look set for promotion. Hard-hitting and a strong voice in the changing room, it just makes sense that Frank Lampard has an interest in his services.

The Sky Blues sit atop the league table, despite hitting a blip by their standards in recent weeks. Perhaps they were quite lucky to claim victory against Bristol City last time out, a game where they conceded many chances and were saved by the heroics of goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.

Carl Rushworth. ⛔️

Big moments. Big saves. 🔒 pic.twitter.com/mWOV9WVKF1

— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) December 14, 2025

A Creditable Asset

This is where the services of Neil come in handy. The defensive-minded midfielder is highly regarded for his tackling and interceptions , which are integral in a division that so often sees teams graft out victories. Neil averaged around six recoveries per 90 minutes last season, one of the league's highest, and it is no surprise that he featured so regularly for his side and the success that came with it. Perhaps this move would leave a sour taste in the mouths of Coventry City fans, having played every minute in the playoff tie that saw them crash out in a thrilling semi-final second leg at the Stadium of Light. That being said, it would not take Neil long to get the Coventry faithful on his side. A fan favorite at Sunderland for good reason, and its with huge credit that Italian giants Roma have shown an interest in him.

Frank Lampard's side has strength in midfield with the likes of Matt Grimes and Victor Torp controlling the middle of the park. The options outside of that appear quite slim from an outside view. Long-time servant Jamie Allen continues to age, while Neil is yet to reach his peak years as a 24-year-old.

A Sensible Move

The homegrown talent signed a contract extension with his parent club in March 2023 that would see his future secured in Wearside until the end of this season. For a player in the last year of his deal, this would be the last chance for Sunderland to cash in on their former captain, and that should make it more appealing to discuss a transfer, already fueled by the likes of Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki in midfield. A move that just makes sense for all involved, and it would be no surprise to see this move get over the line early in the January transfer window.