Sunderland manager Lee Johnson has said that he does not expect top goalscorer Charlie Wyke to return to the club following the expiry of his contract at the Stadium of Light. Wyke is a free agent as of July 1st and had been linked with a move to Glasgow’s East End but these links have dried up in recent times.
Speaking to the Northern Echo, Johnson left the door ajar for a u-turn from the big striker but all-but admitted defeat in attempting to keep him in League 1 for the upcoming season.
“Charlie, I would say the door is ajar, but we’re certainly not expecting him to come back.
“I’d say that it would be him coming back to us and saying he wants to talk again, effectively.
“My gut says that he will move on, I’d say 95% that he’ll move on. But we would leave the door ajar because at the moment, you never know.”
Photo by Richard Lee
The 28-year-old had an impressive season for Sunderland last year, racking up 35 goals in all competitions but couldn’t help the Black Cats achieve promotion. Nottingham Forest, Millwall and Cardiff have also been linked with a move for him as he looks to do something that Sunderland have struggled to do, get out of the third tier.
Wyke has a reputation as a big target man but this season proved himself to be handy in front of goal. A lot of the goals that he scored in the 2020/21 season appeared to be from crosses, whether heading or finishing. There had been significant links between Wyke and a move to Paradise; however, in recent weeks these talks have cooled with Celtic signing Leigh Griffiths for another twelve months and Odsonne Edouard’s move to Leicester City collpasing.