Report: Sunderland want Preston defender Tommy Spurr

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Tommy Spurr could leave Championship outfit Preston North End with League One Sunderland reportedly interested in signing the centre-back.

Centre-backs are a must for Sunderland this summer.

John O’Shea and Marc Wilson have already departed the Stadium of Light upon the expiry of their contracts and it is no secret that both Lamine Kone and Papy Djilobodji, two of the highest earners in Sunderland’s squad, are up for sale.

A move for Preston North End’s 30-year-old defender Tommy Spurr, then, looks smart.

According to the Lancashire Evening Post, a number of lower league clubs are taking an interest in the Leeds-born centre-back, who is also equally comfortable on the left of a back four. Sunderland and Oldham Athletic are understood to be leading the chase so far.

Spurr has struggled for opportunities at Preston after falling down the pecking order in the last two seasons. The former Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn and Doncaster man featured in just five Championship games in 2017/18, though that was largely down to injury.

The LEP is reporting that Preston have no interest in pushing Spurr towards the exit but will not stand in his way should he want to leave this summer with Alex Neil boasting a number of options at the back.

Spurr is proven at League One level, winning the third tier title with Doncaster in 2013, so should be a fine addition to Sunderland’s side on paper. If fit, he would give Jack Ross experience and versatility, two attributes badly missing from his back-line right now.