Blackburn Rovers are confident of tying up a deal for Sunderland goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin with his contract due to expire at the end of this month, according to the Northern Echo.
Any hopes the Black Cats had of keeping a Scotland international shot-stopper at the Stadium of Light appeared to rest entirely on whether the League One season could be completed on the pitch.
But with the EFL deciding to end the campaign on a points per game basis, leaving Sunderland outside the top six and stuck in the third-tier for another year at least, McLaughlin’s departure has gone from ‘probable to ‘inevitable’.
The former Burton Albion ace is set to become a free agent on July 1 with Sunderland failing to agree a new deal due to financial reasons.
And if Phil Parkinson’s Wearsiders are not going to be playing Championship football in 2020/21, McLaughlin will be.
The Echo claims that Blackburn are now convinced that they will be able to complete a deal when the transfer window opens later this summer.
Even the most biased Sunderland supporter can surely understand the 32-year-old stance. McLaughlin is desperate to play at the highest level possible as he enters the autumn of his career.
And he may be inspired by compatriot David Marshall, who has forced his way back into the Scottish national team after his fine performances in the second-tier with both Hull City and Wigan Athletic.
Fortunately, Sunderland do have one proven League One goalkeeper, Lee Burge, ready and waiting in the wings to take McLaughlin’s place.
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