Sunderland are ‘confident’ they will complete the signing of Viv Solomon-Otabor after the winger turned down a new contract at League One rivals Wigan Athletic, according to the Northern Echo.
While the Black Cats look destined to lose top scorer Charlie Wyke before the summer is out, at least Solomon-Otabor will not arrive on Wearside expected to replace arguably the most naturally gifted footballer in England’s third tier.
Reports from the north east claim that Aiden McGeady, the evergreen Irishman, is now expected to stay at a club who missed out on promotion yet again following their play-off semi-final defeat to Lincoln City in May.
And that should come as a major relief to Solomon-Otabor.
As talented as the 25-year-old is, he is no McGeady.
That is not to say the one-time Birmingham, Blackpool and CSKA Sofia man wouldn’t be an inspired addition to Lee Johnson’s squad, however, especially after he played a key role in Wigan’s successful survival bid in 2020/21.
Will Viv Solomon-Otabor be Sunderland’s first summer signing?
Solomon-Otabor can leave the DW Stadium with his head held high. And leave he will.
The Echo report that the jet-heeled wideman has turned down a new contract, with Sunderland ‘confident’ that he will instead be racing down the wings in red and white next season.
The Black Cats are yet to complete a single new signing this summer, having missed out on left-back Scott Tanser.
Sunderland do have an interest in highly-rated Chelsea goalkeeper Nathan Baxter, however, following his eye-catching loan spell at Accrington Stanley.
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