Lee Johnson has been dealt a huge blow to his chances of keeping Charlie Wyke at Sunderland this summer.
What’s the talk?
That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that a Sunderland source has revealed that the centre-forward looks set to reject the offer of a new deal at The Stadium of Light, and as such, he will leave the Black Cats upon the expiry of his contract next month.
A number of Championship clubs have been linked with a move for the 28-year-old, while Ipswich Town are also reported to be in the running to land the striker in the coming weeks, should he indeed quit Sunderland.
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Johnson will be devastated
Considering just how impressive Wyke has been for Sunderland this season, the news that the £270k-rated man looks to have played his last game for the club will undoubtedly come as a devastating blow to Johnson.
Over his 45 League One appearances this term, the striker scored a whopping 26 goals, provided three assists and created six big chances, as well as taking an average of 2.4 shots and making one key pass per game.
These returns saw the £6.4k-per-week man earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.36, ranking him as Sunderland’s best performer in the third tier of English football – playing a huge part in the club’s securing of a play-off spot.
However, after losing 3-2 over two legs of their play-off semi-final with Lincoln City, it would appear as if that the fact the Black Cats will be playing their third consecutive season in League One has cost them the services of Wyke – who, at 28, will undoubtedly want to be playing at the highest level possible as he hits the peak of his career.
Indeed, should the player dubbed a “brilliant” striker by Lynden Gooch go on to leave The Stadium of Light this summer, it would certainly not do Sunderland’s chances of mounting a promotion push once again next season very much good at all, with Johnson looking likely to have the unenviable task of replacing a 26-goal forward ahead of the kick-off of the new campaign.
In other news: Johnson heading for SAFC transfer disaster over “magnificent” £7k-p/w troublemaker – opinion