---
title: "Sunderland: Phil Smith talks Bailey Wright links"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-phil-smith-talks-bailey-wright-links/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-07-16T08:50:38Z"
modified: "2020-07-16T08:50:38Z"
---

# Sunderland: Phil Smith talks Bailey Wright links

**[Sunderland Echo](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/phil-smiths-sunderland-afc-qa-mark-campbell-bailey-wright-and-league-one-restart-date-under-spotlight-2914175) writer Phil Smith has said that the potential summer signing of Bailey Wright to Sunderland is a ‘no brainer’ for the club.**

The Australian-born defender spent the second half of the 2019/2020 season at the Stadium of Light after moving 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), he helped the Lilywhites win promotion to the Championship in 2015, beating Swindon Town at Wembley.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”302563″\]

His success at Deepdale earned him 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) but he found playing time hard to come by at Ashton Gate thus prompting a loan to Sunderland.

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.

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

Now a [free agent after his contract came to an end with Bristol City](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bailey-wright/profil/spieler/147419), Wright has been [linked](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/sunderland-face-another-big-summer-18416543) with a return to Phil Parkinson’s side.

Touching on a potential return for Wright to Sunderland, [Echo pundit Smith gave his thoughts in a latest Q&A session.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/phil-smiths-sunderland-afc-qa-mark-campbell-bailey-wright-and-league-one-restart-date-under-spotlight-2914175)

*“It should be a no-brainer (and hopefully will prove to be).*

*“He improved the side, has vast experience, and fits perfectly into what the manager wants to do.*

*“The manager is very keen to sign him, the player has been very clear that he wanted to earn a long-term deal (and showed his commitment by moving up for the loan).*

*“He’d be a very good addition, would give everyone a bit of a boost and so hopefully there’ll be movement on that one.”*

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

Why wouldn’t you re-sign Wright if you were Parkinson? The Sunderland boss needs all the best options he can get for next season and the Aussie defender made a good impact at the club, if only for a short time, by helping them to four clean sheets in five appearances ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bailey-wright/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/147419/wettbewerb/GB3/saison/2019)).

Whether or not finances are being looked at first remains to be seen, but if they can afford it they should get a deal on the table for the player.

***Do you think Bailey Wright will return to Sunderland? Let us know in the comments section below…***