Grant Leadbitter could be sold by Championship outfit Boro with Sunderland reportedly keen to bring the midfielder back to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland are planning a move to bring Grant Leadbitter back to the Stadium of Light before the end of the January transfer window, according to the Sunderland Echo.
The 33-year-old midfielder started his career on Wearside after graduating from the Black Cats’ academy and is currently plying his trade just a few miles down the road at Middlesbrough.
Leadbitter has found himself out of favour under Tony Pulis, however, and his two Championship appearances this season both came all the way back in August.
The Northern Echo reported on Tuesday that Boro would be willing to sell the former Ipswich Town man in an attempt to raise funds for new additions.
And it is understood that Jack Ross is keen to offer Leadbitter a fresh start at Sunderland, a decade after he left to join Roy Keane at Portman Road. Ross has identified central midfield as an area he is keen to strengthen.
Sunderland will have to battle Championship clubs for Leadbitter’s signature but they will be hoping that the Chester-le-Street born midfielder will be tempted by a return to where it all began.
The Northern Echo claims that Ipswich want to re-sign him too with Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers also interested.
And it seems that Middlesbrough have already secured a replacement with the former Chelsea ace John Obi Mikel set to arrive on a free transfer from Chinese outfit Tianjin TEDA.
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