The boyhood Sunderland fan has barely featured for Middlesbrough this season.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
The Black Cats’ lives appear to be running out, with David Moyes’ side rooted to the bottom of the Premier League and six points adrift of safety.
Relegation, however, will at least give Sunderland a chance to start afresh, after years of poor recruitment and management – both behind the scenes and at centre stage.
Being able to properly blood the club’s promising clutch of youngsters is one of few silver linings to cherish should Sunderland succumb, although the likes of Lynden Gooch, Joel Asoro and George Honeyman will no doubt need assistance from those with superior experience.
One man likely to relish such an opportunity is Middlesbrough’s Grant Leadbitter – a boyhood Sunderland fan who began his career at the Stadium of Light.
Eight years on from his Wearside departure for Ipswich Town, however, Leadbitter has found himself sparsely used by Middlesbrough in this season’s Premier League, and recently entered the final 18 months of his contract.
Middlesbrough’s Grant Leadbitter scores on a rare outing this season
Leadbitter had been a regular for Boro at Championship level, where he scored or assisted 97 goals in 325 appearances and helped both the Smoggies and Sunderland to promotion.
And still only 31, Leadbitter could be the perfect Mackems addition, as they look to restore the bond between player and fan, and replace both Jan Kirchhoff and Jason Denayer, whose deals are due to expire.
With Middlesbrough’s top-flight status also under threat, the Teessiders are likely want their long-serving captain on board if they do return to the Championship.
If Boro do stay up, however, Sunderland should seek to bring him home.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
