Town Neil Deal Progressing
Monday, 26th Jan 2026 13:00

TWTD understands Town’s move to sign Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil is progressing and should be confirmed within the next 48 hours.

The 24-year-old, who is believed to be at the club for a medical and to complete the formalities regarding his loan switch, looks set to become the club’s second addition of the January window following the signing of Anis Mehmeti from Bristol City on Friday.

News of the Blues’ interest in Neil emerged on Saturday, Town subsequently firming up their approach and seeing off opposition from Rangers and West Ham United with Sheffield United also believed to have been keen.

Black Cats head coach Regis Le Bris revealed after their 3-1 defeat to the Hammers that Neil, who is out of contract in the summer, was expected to depart early this week and we understand it was a move to Town that the Frenchman was referring to.

Neil, who skippered the club in 2024/25, has been out of favour this season, making only three sub appearances in the Premier League.

Town have been on the lookout for another midfielder during this window and made an approach to Fulham for skipper Tom Cairney, who subsequently signed a new deal with the Cottagers.

Former England U20 international Neil has played all his football for Sunderland having come through their academy, making a total of 182 starts, among them last season’s play-off final, and 18 sub appearances, scoring 12 goals.

Photo: MI News via Reuters Connect

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Page:
1
2
3

itfcserbia added 13:02 - Jan 26 Yes, great age, good player, good experience, a real alrounder and a leadership experience as well. Some more presense in the middle will help us a lot.
15

OldFart71 added 13:05 - Jan 26 With this Neil deal do we get two more included ?
14

JimmyP45 added 13:11 - Jan 26 Would be a great signing for us helping to bolster the midfield options. BBC hinting that Wrexham are likely to offer £15m for Adam Armstrong. Surely we should be in for him as well.
7

Bazza8564 added 13:19 - Jan 26 One deal done, one deal at medical stage and who knows what else we are progressing quietly. The impatient mod should eat their words, but they won't. Window closes Monday next, still plenty of time for more yet
6

ITFCkyle1878 added 13:21 - Jan 26 Really like this signing. Will be fairly cheap and brings a wealth of experience and leadership skills even though still relatively young. Time to get that striker through the door and will be a good end to the window!
7

cressi added 13:34 - Jan 26 Would or will be a good signing one dodgy site says west ham have offered 6 million.
0

billlm added 13:36 - Jan 26 Bazza I'm in neither camp but mehmeti and Neil if we get him we could have got early January so we've wasted game time, Neither of these two deals we're relying on African nations finishing or other signings to replace, we waste time,
-37

Essexnblue added 13:41 - Jan 26 billm, ridiculous comment, how do you know about the players and clubs availability. Sunderland had about 7 away at the Afcon, that's why Neil was not put up for grabs.
29

Orraman added 13:42 - Jan 26

Sounds like Neil could be an excellent acquisition. Good age and experienced as a leader having captained Sunderland to promotion last season. Would be keen for another chance to experience Premier League having missed out when Mackems signed Granit Xhaka.
Our midfield certainly needs strengthening especially as Matisuwa will pick up 10th yellow soon. Mehmeti seems potential No10 which would allow Nunez to revert to attacking midfield so a midfield group of Matisuwa, Nunez, Cajuste and Taylor should see us well prepared for that final promotion push.

blues1 added 13:42 - Jan 26 bullm. And what makes you think we could have got them early in January? Do you not realise how this window works? Clubs often won't allow players to leave early in thd window. Mehmeti for instance, said in his interview thst that deal had been going on for a while before getting done. So no, we havent wasted time. Just done what we can
7

billlm added 13:45 - Jan 26 Ok guys always the last minute, other clubs don't, Maybe they should shorten the window to two weeks end of jan and September, or even better go back decades no transfer window, just opinions,oh and it may be bull to you but it's bill to me
-20

BouncebackIpswich added 13:50 - Jan 26 Don't know much about him but he looks serviceable on YouTube highlights. Quite terrier like with good ball control and passing range. A bit of mongrel about him, more Taylor like than Cajuste or Nunez I'd say. Not sure he'll be an instant starter though but more than good enough to bolster the options in CM.
-1

Uhlenbeek added 13:59 - Jan 26 Good signing in my opinion, he's unlucky that Sunderlands recruitment has been so good in the Prem. A very good signing for a top championship team.
7

WhoisJimmyJuan added 14:04 - Jan 26 Note it would be a loan not a purchase. Are both parties hedging their bets to see where we are at the end of the season I wonder?
5

PhilsAngels added 14:12 - Jan 26 Jimmy. Player is hedging his bets for a deal in the summer and Sunderland Obviously not worried about not getting any money for him.
3

DannyITFC added 14:15 - Jan 26 Will be a useful signing in CM at this level, but we really do need that no9…. Surely we must secure a goalscorer this window or plays up top?
3

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:25 - Jan 26 Positive move. Just hope we don't lose Philogene during this window, although we might do in the summer if the powers that be want to recoup some of their spending.
0

rodthergasman added 14:47 - Jan 26 GOOD PLAYER,BUT WE NEED A STRIKER
6

Gforce added 14:56 - Jan 26 Good that it's a loan,if he has a poor 5 months we can send him back,but if he does well,we can then sign on a free. It's a win win situation, well done MA if this goes through.
2

ronnyd added 14:57 - Jan 26 OldFart71, no, just a can of Coke.
2

Stato added 14:59 - Jan 26 I don't know enough about him but I'm guessing he will be on the bench to cover Matusiwa. Anyone expecting anything different to that ?
0

darkhorse28 added 15:02 - Jan 26

Cracking addition, fingers crossed. But a loan.., we’re committed to Akpom and Jens already if promoted, neither even close to that level, both struggling even at this level. As good as Jens is with the ball, he’s very poor without it.

Our ability to identify, sign, and retain the quality we need, relative to resources, is well below average.

At 25 get the deal done on a permanent.., and see if we can move Jens, Ason, Akpom on in this window.

We need to be honest on Jens.., would be a fantastic 8 at this level, but we don’t play anyone in the role and never will under McKenna - ever.

Positive Neil is a round peg in a round hole, great news.

atty added 15:08 - Jan 26 That makes 25 in the squad. Need another one out if we want that striker- should be no ifs about it!
2

terryf added 15:15 - Jan 26

Rather like Sam and Mass complimenting each other and help getting us two promotions I can see McKenna looking to pair Dan Neil alongside Matusiwa to play in a similar way. Love to see Cajuste showboating when we are in the ascedancy but he is never going to do the hard yards when we need them. Tracking back for instance? Mass was so underrated and often covered for Leif so he could bomb down the left and carry out his many assists.
Will be an excellent signing and can see Anis and Marcelino sharing to 10 role. Just need a number 9 now but that may be a little more difficult!

Bazza8564 added 15:22 - Jan 26

BillM If you read Mehmeti's interview you will understand that he has been talking to the Club for a matter of weeks, it just doesnt happen overnight, and when it does, it's usually when you get your pants pulled down over the price.

Mark Ashton is an experienced CEO who, so far, has made money on every sale. Delap, Broadhead, Al Hamadi, Adheme & Hutchinson. We've either not renewed or settled contracts of other to get them off the wage bill.

You want these players in on January 1st you pay a premium, and having won every game bar one in January are you seriously questioning the way MA does business?? If so, I'll have one of what you're drinking