Sunderland are keen to bring Middlesbrough midfielder Grant Leadbitter back to the Stadium of Light this summer.
According to a report from The Sun, Sunderland are interested in trying to bring Middlesbrough midfielder Grant Leadbitter back to the Stadium of Light.
Leadbitter came through the ranks with the Black Cats, spending around seven years on the club’s books and making over 100 league appearances for the side before departing for Ipswich in 2009.
Grant Leadbitter
He spent his first four seasons at Boro as a vital member of the squad, making at least 39 Championship appearances in each season at the Riverside Stadium, before featuring much less regularly during their one season in the Premier League.
And The Sun reports that following Garry Monk’s appointment, the 31-year-old is set for a much more peripheral role, with Jonny Howson being added to the squad during the transfer window.
The Sun adds that Simon Grayson is keen to try and bring Leadbitter back to the club eight years after his exit, and is hoping that the fact that the midfielder’s contract expires next summer will tempt Monk to give a bargain deal the green light.
It would certainly appear to be an excellent piece of business from the Black Cats if they were able to bring the midfielder back to the club given that he was one of the most reliable performers in the division during the four years he spent trying to get Boro into the top flight – and his love for Sunderland may prove especially valuable as they look to rebuild.
Sunderland manager Simon Grayson
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