The future of Sunderland winger Aiden McGeady remains 'up in the air' heading towards the 2021/22 season, with no new contract being agreed at this stage.
The Irishman signed for the club back in 2017, and has gone on to make 133 appearances in total for Sunderland, although he was frozen out of the first-team picture not so long ago at the Stadium of Light.
But he's certainly made up for lost time this season, and has played his part in the club's bid for promotion, which ultimately fell short as they were beaten by Lincoln City in their League One play-off semi-final.
McGeady made 36 appearances in all competitions this term, and chipped in with six goals and 17 assists for Lee Johnson's side.
He is out of contract this month though, and no new deal has been agreed as of yet, which will have supporters concerned over whether his future is with the Black Cats.
Speaking in an interview with Football Transfer Tavern, former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey admitted that he thinks McGeady could be holding out for more money, or
"He might be holding out for more money or he could be a little bit annoyed with how he was treated because he was exiled a little bit earlier but ultimately, that wasn’t under the manager who is there now.
"He made the League One Team of the Season this year, so even though the club is not basking in money, they do have new owners and he could want them to pay him more."
Sunderland will be hoping they can win promotion back into the Championship in the 2021/22 campaign, which is set to get under way in August.
The Verdict:
He could have a point here.
McGeady has been brilliant for Sunderland this season, and I'm not surprised to see him being linked with a move elsewhere earlier this year.
He's shown that he's more than good enough to be playing at a higher level than League One moving forwards, and I really wouldn't be surprised if he was to depart the Stadium of Light this summer.
He'd leave a sizeable void in their team as well, and it would be interesting to see how Sunderland would replace a player of his quality ahead of the new league campaign.