Sunderland have sent a contract offer to former Everton defender Luke Garbutt as they look to beat League One rivals Ipswich Town to his signature, according to the Northern Echo.
With a pair of former top-flight stalwarts finishing a disappointing eighth and tenth in the third tier of English football last season, both Sunderland and Ipswich are desperate to ensure they do not suffer the same fate in 2020/21.
And Garbutt, who proved himself as of the most impressive full-backs in the division during a loan spell at Portman Road, is courting interest from the North East and Anglia as he weighs up his next move.
The former England youth star is in talks over a permanent move to Ipswich.
Tractor Boys gaffer Paul Lambert is a huge fan, hailing Garbutt’s ‘incredible left-foot’ and his ‘fantastic’ crossing skills last year, in quotes reported by the East Anglian Daily Times.
With Sunderland themselves in the market for reinforcements at left-back, the Echo reports that the Black Cats have submitted a contract offer of their own to the 27-year-old.
Garbutt produced an impressive six goals and three assists at Ipswich last season, with his set-piece ability catching the eye.
Sunderland, who have youngster Denver Hume as their only real natural left-back, have already signed Bailey Wright and Aiden O’Brien on free transfers with ex-Burton forward Scott Fraser also linked.
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