The swans are now actively pursuing the signature of Sunderland attacking midfielder Lynden Gooch. The twenty six year old is a full USA International and switched allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to the states in 2016.

Gooch has been pivotal to the black cats promotion to the championship last season and is out of contract in three weeks. A source close to the unique sports group who represent Gooch have informed us that they expect negotiations to begin next week. As a free agent the player can choose where he goes next and Sunderland have already spoken to him regards an improved contract for the coming season. No decision has been made as yet on that as the swans are keen to talk with him prior to the middle of next week.

In total Gooch has played just over two hundred games for Sunderland with a decent return of twenty four goals. Twenty in the league from one hundred and eighty games. Born in California he didn’t score for his club last season due to his playing position more than anything else but assisted his side in six goals. Russell Martin is very keen to sign Gooch we understand as he can play across the midfield and is two footed. His vision and pace in breaking down play and turning over situations to his teams advantage are seen as the type of attributes Martin desires for the coming campaign.

Described by Sunderland as very special. “Gooch is diminutive in size but has incredible pace and core strength to make up for his lack of height. He plays in the mould of the modern day attacking midfielder and is capable of playing just about anywhere across the attack, though is best either off the right or in the traditional 'number ten' role. Although Lynden works hard, his strength is in creating opportunities for his team mates and scoring goals. For his country he tends to play in the centre of midfield”

Having come through the Sunderland academy ranks as a schoolboy during college breaks in the USA he joined the club at aged sixteen from his home in Santa Cruz. You would have thought he would be keen to remain at the stadium of light after such a successful season. However, that is not the case, he wants to improve his situation with a club that plays good football and has more chance than Sunderland of promotion back to the premier league. Gooch played eleven times for Sunderland in the EPL in 2016.

That aside, Gooch is also a major target of Martin who has numerous players in every position to improve his squad. Any signature would go ahead from July 1st, and the swans are more than confident they can capture Lynden despite interest from other clubs.

Time will tell, but as we expected the swans will now be linked with numerous players as the summer progresses. And of course news of another player leaving the swans is close.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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