REGIS LE BRIS is certain Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham want to stay at Sunderland this month, despite receiving offers from Premier League clubs.
Following recruitment discussions with sports director Kristjaan Speakman, the head coach expects the Black Cats leadership to prioritise retaining key players for the promotion push.
Neil’s future has been brought into question in the last 24 hours, with Everton and West Ham United reportedly interested in signing him. Bellingham was the subject of a failed offer from Crystal Palace in the summer, and he has been touted nationally as a potential Manchester United signing this month.
Le Bris had always expected some of Sunderland’s young players to be linked with moves abroad this month, but Neil and Bellingham are resolute about staying on Wearside for the rest of the season.
“Now, on the other side, they must find a solution to their contracts and futures, which is usual. But, for me, the story we are currently living is the best ingredient for the coming weeks and beyond the transfer window.”
Crucially, Le Bris is certain that Speakman and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus will do everything they can to keep the current squad together, regardless of what offers arise before the transfer deadline on February 3.
While the Sunderland hierarchy approved the sale of Jack Clarke in the summer, they have turned down offers for a number of players in the last 18 months and appear more than willing to do so again, with the carrot of potential Premier League promotion dangling tantalisingly close with the Black Cats fourth in the table heading into tomorrow’s home game against Plymouth.
“If you look at the owner, the sporting director and the recruitment structure, then I think we are really connected about the opportunity we have this season,” Le Bris told the crowd. “We all know the possibility exists, and we want to do everything we can to make it happen.
“On the other hand, even if a large offer comes in, the player must sign and declare, ‘Yes, I want to leave’.
“That is not that common, and we all know that.
“I don’t know what is happening with his (Neil) contract at the minute,” said Le Bris. “I know that the club, with Kristjaan especially, has many conversations with his agent. That is probably in progress, although I don’t know exactly.
“He is a very important player for us. On the pitch, it is sometimes not easy to assess the way in which he helps the team to solve the problems we face. He is tactically very smart and can understand what happens on the pitch very quickly.
“He can solve things, and share with his team-mates what is important to do. If it doesn’t work, then he will change later and he has a very good connection with the staff.
“He is the captain. Sometimes, you can have the armband but not necessarily lead on the pitch. With him, he is very impressive.”
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