Sunderland's retained list will contain no major surprises when it is made public following Carl Winchester's announcement that he will be leaving Wearside. The majority of clubs had until today to submit their retained list to the EFL, although sides involved in the play-offs are given additional time and it is understood that Sunderland have until early June to send in the information.
With centre-back Danny Batth and midfielder Alex Pritchard having both triggered clauses in their contracts which will see their stays extended beyond the summer, and with Sunderland having already activated a clause in star striker Ross Stewart's contract which keeps him at the club for another year, Winchester is the only senior player whose deal expires this summer. And the 30-year-old midfielder took to social media yesterday to announce that he would be leaving the club, having spent virtually the entirety of last season on loan at League One Shrewsbury Town.
There will be decisions to make over players within the club's U21 set-up, some of whom are out of contract this summer. Sunderland will also offer terms to highly-rated 15-year-old Chris Rigg whose youth contract expires this summer, although there are a number of teams - including Newcastle United and Liverpool - who are also interested in the England U17 international.
READ MORE: Carl Winchester sends a farewell to Sunderland fans as he confirms his summer exit
The retained list submitted to the EFL contains a list of players under contract, and those who are out of contract at the end of the season but who have been offered new deals even if those negotiations are ongoing. The EFL publishes all clubs' retained lists by no later than the second Saturday in June.
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