Sunderland face competition from Championship rivals Swansea City and Preston North End as they look to tie Lynden Gooch down to a new contract this summer. The 26-year-old academy graduate - who is Sunderland's longest-serving player - will become a free agent at the end of June when his current deal with the Black Cats runs out, meaning he will be able to move on for nothing.
But California-born USA international Gooch is one of three out-of-contract players that Sunderland have offered new terms, the others being Australia international defender Bailey Wright and January addition Patrick Roberts, who joined from Manchester City on a short-term deal. Reports suggest that Swansea are eyeing a move for the versatile forward, who can also play at full-back, wing-back, and in midfield, and they could offer him the chance to move to South Wales, while Alex Neil's former club Preston has also been credited with an interest.
Gooch has a decision to make over his future and, while finance will inevitably be a factor, he will also have to weigh up the benefits of staying in the North East at a club he knows, against a fresh start elsewhere. Both Swansea and Preston finished in the bottom half of the Championship last season and Gooch may decide that a move to either of those clubs would not be a significant step up from Sunderland.
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Gooch may also wait to see what transfer business Sunderland complete in the coming weeks for an indication of the club's ambitions following its promotion to the Championship. Gooch made his debut for Sunderland in August 2015, and his league debut for the club in January 2016.
He has made 213 appearances and scored 24 goals for the club in all competitions.
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