---
title: "Sunderland: Midfield target rejects new deal with Hartlepool United"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-midfielder-target-rejects-new-deal-with-hartlepool-united/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-06-26T18:30:44Z"
modified: "2020-06-26T18:30:44Z"
---

# Sunderland: Midfield target rejects new deal with Hartlepool United

**Sunderland target Josh Hawkes has rejected a new contract offer from Hartlepool United, according to [Hartlepool Mail.](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/four-players-turn-down-new-contracts-hartlepool-united-luke-james-mark-kitching-josh-hawkes-and-kenton-richardson-set-leave-aaron-cunningham-agreeing-terms-2894006)**

Wholesome changes are expected to be made this summer at the Stadium of Light after Phil Parkinson’s side failed to gain promotion to the Championship.

A second successive failure to get themselves out of the English third-tier will now put added pressure on the shoulders of Parkinson, who guided his side to an eighth-placed finish in the League One standings.

With a number of first team regulars set to leave the club on a free transfer, [reports have emerged linking Hawkes with a move to the Wearside club.](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-hartlepool-prospect-hawkes-braga-sheffield-united-burnley)

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

Hawkes, who impressed for Hartlepool over the course of the 2019/2020 season, is also being courted by a number of Premier League sides such as [Burnley and Sheffield United, whilst Middlesbrough, Huddersfield Town, Hull City and Barnsley are also said to be keen.](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-hartlepool-prospect-hawkes-braga-sheffield-united-burnley)

\[freshpress-quiz id=”292828″\]

The 21-year-old will have a tough choice to make come July 1 after he rejected fresh terms with Hartlepool, as reported by the [Hartlepool Mail.](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/four-players-turn-down-new-contracts-hartlepool-united-luke-james-mark-kitching-josh-hawkes-and-kenton-richardson-set-leave-aaron-cunningham-agreeing-terms-2894006)

Portuguese club [Braga](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-hartlepool-prospect-hawkes-braga-sheffield-united-burnley) have also been labelled with interest in Hawkes, who has netted [13 goals in 63 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/josh-hawkes/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/488416) for Pool.

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

It seems like a no brainer for Sunderland to make a move for Hawkes, especially given the list of interested teams in his services.

A free transfer would be ideal for Black Cats’ boss Parkinson, who could then go on to spend cash elsewhere. However, they may find it difficult to clinch a deal if a club from one of the two higher divisions in England make a move.

***Do you think Hawkes would be a good free transfer for Sunderland to make? Let us know in the comments section below…***