Sunderland’s Dan Neil has played just 13 minutes of Premier League football across three substitute appearances so far this season.
With the arrival of experienced star Granit Xhaka, Neil’s gametime has diminished.
Despite captaining the Black Cats to promotion in 2024/25, missing just two games, it appears that the Sunderland youth graduate could be on the move, with his contract expiring in June.
So, where in the EFL could the English midfielder go in search of a fresh start and consistent minutes?
Chris Wilder’s Blades have interest in the experienced 24-year-old, who have reportedly entered the race to sign the Sunderland outcast.
Neil would be an excellent addition for the side who sit 16th in the Championship, despite ambitions of returning Premier League football.
Neil would be a fantastic, consistent signing, considering the Blades look set to lose Gus Hamer this window.
In December, Alan Nixon reported that West Brom were interested in signing Dan Neil.
The Baggies, who have just appointed Eric Ramsay as manager, could do with a midfield reinforcement, and what a first signing Neil could be!
For a club with limited spending power in the Championship, the midfielder who has played 131 times in the Championship would be a clever coup.
If Dan Neil wants to look to win a spot in a Premier League side, could Coventry City be the place for him?
The Sky Blues look set to win promotion from the second tier this season, and in some fashion.
Neil could add a lot to Lampard’s midfield in the second half of the campaign and help spur the side on to a first Premier League promotion in over twenty-five years.
Leicester City, a club in free-fall at the moment, are in desperate need of some control.
Neil could provide this, and is available at a cut price this month, to a club unable to spend freely due to financial issues.
The Sunderland midfielder could add some much-needed leadership and experience to a club that already has knowledge of his services.
Former Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole on if Dan Neil leaves the club: “If he does leave, I will be gutted that he hasn’t had the chance to show himself because people write people off before they have even had a chance to kick the ball.
“I think he would have been expecting to have a start, especially with AFCON and us losing players. The speculation is definitely there. I believe he wants to be and should be playing football at his age.”
Wherever Neil goes, he’ll hope he can become as much of a hero as he has been at Sunderland, where he has brought his boyhood club from League One to the top flight.
