Sunderland missed out on a reunion with former academy graduate Grant Leadbitter in the summer as Middlesbrough refused to sell.
Middlesbrough were unwilling to entertain offers for key midfielder Grant Leadbitter this summer. According to the Sunderland Echo, Garry Monk’s side rebuffed offers from Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday while also preventing Sunderland from reuniting with a player who came through their academy.
However, the report adds that Sunderland are keeping tabs on Leadbitter ahead of the January transfer window. Leadbitter has only a year remaining on his contract and The Black Cats may be hopeful that they could land the 31-year-old for a reduced fee.
Leadbitter was a regular for Middlesbrough as they won promotion to the Premier League in 2015/16 but missed the majority of last season with injury and has only been handed six minutes of game time by Monk so far this campaign.
However, Leadbitter has been one of the most consistent midfielders in the Championship over the last few years, starring at Ipswich Town before making the move to the Riverside in 2012.
And the local lad, who was born in Fencehouses on the outskirts of Sunderland, would be welcomed back at the Stadium of Light with open arms as Simon Grayson’s side aim for a respectable season after a difficult start.
Sunderland are currently 19th in the Championship table after winning just one of their first five league fixtures.
And Leadbitter would promise to bring hard-work and consistency to a side which has been criticised for lacking both characteristics throughout a prolonged period of struggle.
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