The Seagulls keeper is out of contract in the summer, and Sunderland should strike while there is still a chance.
While Sunderland still have a few matches left of their doomed Premier League campaign, they should maybe turn an eye towards David Stockdale’s current contract situation at Brighton and Hove Albion.
As it stands, Stockdale is yet to agree fresh terms with Chris Hughton’s newly promoted side, and Brighton could face the possibility of losing the Championship goalkeeper of the year on a free transfer.
Considering it is highly likely that Sunderland stopper Jordan Pickford will be on his way in the summer, the fact that the Black Cats could replace him with the Championship’s best performing goalkeeper this season – for nothing – seems a no-brainer for manager David Moyes.
As well as that, with it a certainty that Jermain Defoe will also be departing the Stadium of Light in the summer, the money generated from the Pickford sale could go towards getting a top end replacement for Defoe, while solving the goalkeeping issue free of charge.
While the likes of Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Leeds United are interested in Stockdale, as reports the Daily Mirror, Sunderland would be the best fit – at Chelsea he will not play barring injuries, at Palace he won’t be first choice and risks irking the wrath of Brighton fans considering their rivalry, and there is no guarantees that Leeds will push next season.
At the Black Cats, Stockdale would be keeping goal in a side expected to be promoted, and if that were to be the case, should he display this kind of form again, Stockdale would keep his spot in the Premier League. Given he would cost nothing whatsoever at present, it would be remarkably astute of Sunderland to look a bit further into Stockdale’s situation.
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