Contact made: Sunderland progress on transfer for 'phenomenal' warrior before Saturday - source

Sunderland want to sign midfielder Alex Gorrin when his Oxford United contract expires, Football Insider report. 

Sunderland will take on Wycombe Wanderers for a place in the Championship in Saturday’s League One playoff final, but it’s clear that preparations for next season are already well underway.

Gorrin spent ‘several years‘ at Sunderland’s academy before he was released back in 2014.

His deal at The Kassam Stadium is due to expire in a matter of weeks’ time, meaning he’s currently set to leave on a free transfer.

A recruitment source has told the publication that Sunderland have established contact over a potential deal for Gorrin.

‘A number of other clubs’ are monitoring the situation too, and that may be what prompted the club to act.

Oxford are said to be ‘desperate’ to hold onto him and have offered him an extension.

Gorrin hasn’t actually played for United since the first round of the FA Cup against Bristol Rovers back on 7 November, when he sustained a season-ending knee injury in the first half.

Initial patience may be required, then, as he works way back up to full fitness and sharpness, but he could still be a shrewd pick-up.

The Spaniard, formerly of Motherwell, has racked up 79 games’ worth of experience in the third tier.

Prior to his injury, he was averaging 30 accurate passes, 1.8 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per 90 minutes, helping to protect the defence and keep things ticking along.

The £225,000-rated ace has the potential to be a favourite at The Stadium of the Light, with manager Karl Robinson declaring him ‘the hardest-working man I’ve coached’ and dubbing him a ‘phenomenal’ signing.

In other news, James Copley has been stunned by this development ahead of the playoff final. 

Source