Sunderland are in advanced talks with Dan Neil over a new deal, according to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Regular…

Neil has continued to feature heavily for the Black Cats this season in the Championship, making 36 appearances in all competitions. The 21-year-old has turned out as a defensive midfielder and a central midfielder, with the majority of those in recent months coming in a holding role.

His current contract doesn’t expire until 2025, but it looks as if Sunderland chiefs are ready to offer the player improved terms.

The Latest: Contract update

FI reporter O’Rourke shared news he’s heard from the Stadium of Light regarding Neil on Thursday morning.

He revealed that Neil is set to be rewarded with a fresh deal after impressing in the second tier, with talks at an advanced stage. It is thought that a new contract will be finalised soon.

The Verdict: Good news

Neil, hailed as ‘excellent’ by former manager Alex Neil, has been a solid performer under both Neil and Tony Mowbray this season.

As per WhoScored, he has averaged a match rating of 6.72/10 and ranks highly in the squad for number of passes per 90. No player has averaged more tackles per game than Neil, while only Jack Clarke has registered more assists than Neil’s four.

Therefore, you could say this is an exciting off-field update on the Sunderland man, and hopefully, he’ll continue to shine on the pitch, possibly helping the club reach the Championship playoffs come May.