---
title: "Sunderland: Bailey Wright deal edging closer"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-bailey-wright-deal-close-transfer-latest/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-07-20T16:30:35Z"
modified: "2020-07-20T16:30:35Z"
---

# Sunderland: Bailey Wright deal edging closer

**[Chronicle Live](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/sunderland-push-ahead-bailey-wright-18624194) reported that Sunderland will continue with talks to bring in Bailey Wright on a free transfer despite the club’s current ownership situation.**

The Australian-born defender spent the second half of the 2019/20 season at the Stadium of Light after coming in on loan during the January transfer window.

Moving to England in 2009 when he joined [Preston North End](https://web.archive.org/web/20100422005436/http://www.pnefc.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10362~2028252%2C00.html), Wright found success with the Lilywhites, helping them to win promotion to the Championship in 2015 after beating Swindon Town at Wembley in the League One play-off final.

Success at Deepdale preceded a move to [Bristol City in 2017](https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/defender-bailey-wright-signs-for-bristol-city-from-preston-north-end/story-30035647-detail/story.html) before a short loan spell at the Stadium of Light.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Making [five league appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bailey-wright/profil/spieler/147419) for the Black Cats before the season came to an abrupt end, the centre-back made a solid impression and talk of a permanent deal is now moving forward.

With Stewart Donald having resigned from his role as club chairman over the weekend and the ongoing talk of a club sale, first team manager Phil Parkinson is keen to bolster his squad and the report by [Chronicle Live](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/sunderland-push-ahead-bailey-wright-18624194) claimed that a deal for Wright will continue to move forward despite the various off-field issues.

The Melbourne-born defender is available on a [free transfer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bailey-wright/profil/spieler/147419) after seeing his contract expire with Bristol City.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Whilst a move for Wright, whom [Parkinson already knows](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bailey-wright/leistungsdatentrainer/spieler/147419/plus/0/saison/2019/wettbewerb/GB3/verein/289/trainer_id/3540) from his time on Wearside, seems a good one, it remains to be seen if players will want to join Sunderland at the present time.

Parkinson may have a tough time in convincing players to come in to the Stadium of Light as the current project does seem to have fallen a little flat amid uncertainty over the club’s ownership.

***Do you think Sunderland will have a new owner before next season? Let us know in the comments section below…***