Sunderland defender Tom Flanagan has recently been linked with a move to Coventry City according to a report from Football Insider.
It is also claimed that both Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City are also interested in landing his signature ahead of the summer transfer window.
Flanagan has made 22 appearances in all competitions for Sunderland this season, as they narrowly missed out on a top-six finish in League One due to the majority of clubs in the third tier agreeing to curtail this year's campaign on a PPG (points per game) basis.
But the defender is out-of-contract this summer, and the club have already revealed that they are holding talks with Flanagan over a potential new deal at the Stadium of Light.
Speaking to Football Insider, former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips felt as though Flanagan would be a 'big loss' to the squad if he was to depart in the summer.
"In that current squad, he would be a big loss. I am not surprised there is a few other clubs sniffing around because he did well last season.
"To lose anyone that has been a part an integral part of the squad over the past two years is always going to hurt you."
Phillips went on to admit that Flanagan is a player that would be tough to replace heading into the summer transfer window for Phil Parkinson's side.
"If they get rid of him I am unsure whether they can get someone in to fill his boots straight away. It will be very difficult given the shop windows they will be shopping in.
"It would be a blow so I would like them to get the lad on a new contract. That would be great. If he goes to a Coventry it would be a big loss for Sunderland."
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The Verdict:
I'm not sure I agree with Phillips here.
Flanagan has done a steady job with Sunderland this season, but he's not exactly been a world-beater by any stretch of the imagination.
But he could be a useful addition to a team in the Championship when used on a rotational basis, so I'm not surprised to hear that he's attracting interest heading into the summer, with his future at Sunderland 'up in the air'.