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.
