Ndong’s termination could save Sunderland in excess of £4 million.
With Didier Ndong’s exit impending, could Sunderland now kill a second bird with the very same stone?
Ndong is thought to be among Sunderland’s highest earning players – clinging on to the £30,000-a-week five-year deal* he signed when the club was two divisions better off.
But he won’t be for long, with the Mackems today confirming they have served notice to the Gabonese midfielder – whom they state failed to return after the summer break and therefore breached his contract.
In the meantime, Sunderland have also found themselves a man light in attack, with Charlie Wyke not expected to return until the new year.
Yet despite admitting it would be “nice” to add another recognised striker to his current pool of two – Josh Maja and Jerome Sinclair – Jack Ross added last week that: “I don’t think I’ll be able to”.
The Sunderland manager did however, suggest that situation “may adjust” over the coming weeks, albeit with only the free agent market to recruit from.
And it may just be that Ndong’s removal from the wage bill is the adjustment for which Ross was looking – although given Maja’s form (seven goals from nine League One outings), the Scot is in little rush to act.
*figures courtesy of the Telegraph
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