Rodwell is being tipped to leave Sunderland this summer – could Celtic, Crystal Palace or Stoke City offer escape routes?
The Sunday People reports (26/03, page 52) that Sunderland’s Jack Rodwell will follow Jermain Defoe out of the Stadium of Light should the Mackems go down.
It is claimed the 26-year-old’s contract does not contain any relegation clause, keeping him among the club’s highest earners.
So where could he go?
Celtic
Celtic’s Scott Sinclair is a former teammate of Rodwell
Signed by Celtic’s new head of recruitment Lee Congerton at Sunderland, Rodwell could be offered a lifeline north of the border. The thrice-capped England international is sure to be intrigued by such a proposition, given the success of his old Manchester City teammate Scott Sinclair at Celtic Park. However, it remains to be seen whether or not he’d fit into the Bhoys’ budget, which will be lower than Sunderland’s.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce managed Rodwell at Sunderland last season
Palace boss Sam Allardyce has already raided the Stadium of Light for Patrick van Aanholt since taking the reins at Selhurst Park, and may return for Rodwell if Joe Ledley and/or Mathieu Flamini leave at the end of their contracts this summer. That said, Allardyce did leave him out for much of last year’s great escape.
Stoke City
Stoke’s record signing Giannelli Imbula has fallen out of favour this campaign
Giannelli Imbula’s Stoke days appear numbered and Rodwell could be the ideal replacement should the Frenchman depart. A move to Staffordshire is sure to appeal to the Sunderland man, who’d be significantly closer to his native Merseyside then he is now.
Would Rodwell be a good signing for Celtic/Crystal Palace/Stoke?
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