Liam Duckstein
Serie A powerhouse Roma are reportedly preparing a January move for Sunderland midfielder
Dan Neil, as the 23-year-old continues to struggle for minutes in the Premier League.
The Black Cats’ midfield has attracted notable interest from Italy this season, with former Arsenal star
Granit Xhaka also drawing attention from Juventus in recent months.
Neil, a central figure in Sunderland’s promotion-winning campaign under Régis Le Bris, has found himself
slipping down the pecking order following the club’s summer overhaul. With several new arrivals slotting
directly into midfield roles — including the experienced Xhaka — Neil has managed just two minutes of
Premier League action so far in the 2025–26 campaign. His only significant involvement came in
August’s EFL Cup tie against Huddersfield Town.
Sunderland’s Neil Ready for Roma Switch?
According to Italian outlet ASRomaLive, Roma’s long-standing admiration for Neil could finally turn
into a concrete January bid. The report suggests that the Englishman, who has spent his entire senior
career at the Stadium of Light, is open to a new challenge after a frustrating first half of the season.
With his contract set to expire in the summer and no fresh extension talks on the horizon, Sunderland may
be forced into a pragmatic decision. Rather than risk losing Neil on a free transfer, the North-East club
are reportedly willing to sanction his departure for a modest fee once the winter window opens.
Sunderland’s Growing Pains
After their dramatic playoff-final triumph over Sheffield United in May, Sunderland invested heavily to
secure their Premier League survival. Their ambitious £150m summer rebuild has paid early dividends,
with the Black Cats sitting seventh after 12 matches — an impressive return for a promoted side.
Yet despite the club’s strong start, not everyone has benefitted from the squad transformation. Players
like Neil, who played key roles last season, have found themselves on the fringes. It’s a natural part of
any squad evolution, but for Neil, the lack of opportunities has accelerated discussions over a potential
mid-season exit. For Roma, it may prove the perfect moment to strike.