Phil Parkinson wants to bring in five more new signings this summer and ex-Everton youngster Morgan Feeney is training with Sunderland, according to the Chronicle.
Loanees and free-agents are the order of the day at the Stadium of Light this summer, with an EFL imposed salary cap further complicating the Black Cats’ ability to spend big in the transfer market.
So far, however, Sunderland have made light work of some rather unprecedented challenges with Aiden O’Brien and Bailey Wright, two players with third-tier promotions on their CV, moving to Wearside.
Six more free agents, Scott Fraser, Luke Garbutt, Demetri Mitchell, Arbenit Xhemajli, Remi Matthews and Danny Graham, have also been linked of late.
Now, we can add Feeney to that list.
The Chronicle even claims that the Bootle-born 21-year-old has joined ex-Manchester United flyer Mitchell in being invited to train at Sunderland’s Academy of Light base.
A former Everton U23 captain, Feeney was released in June after a loan spell at Tranmere Rovers was wrecked by injury.
But he remains highly regarded within the game and could represent a coup for a Sunderland side who lost Alim Ozturk, Tommy Smith and Joel Lynch after the 2019/20 campaign was curtailed.
“I thought he was faultless and led by example,” Feeney’s former Everton coach David Unsworth once said.
“He was stepping in when he could, trying to help the midfield, and it was a great display by the skipper. He got his rewards for his desire to keep going.”
The Chronicle adds that, as Feeney is still a youngster, he will not be covered by the £2.5 million salary cap.
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