Dan Neil is leaving Sunderland and will join Ipswich Town in their quest for promotion.
The Black Cats midfielder was a wanted man across the Championship and Rangers, but has opted to join Kieran McKenna’s side.
Neil was also the subject of a late offer from West Ham, but Ipswich have been working on a deal throughout the January window.
Dan Neil Undergoes Ipswich Medical
According to Keith Downie, Neil will move to the Tractor Boys on loan until the end of the season.
He travelled across the country today and will undergo his medical, which will bring his time at boyhood club Sunderland to a close.
Neil, 24, is out of contract in the summer and hasn’t made a start in the Premier League under Regis Le Bris this season.
Ipswich will see his arrival as a major coup in their hunt for an automatic promotion spot.
They currently sit in third, five points adrift of Middlesbrough in second and with a game in hand to play.
Neil made 44 starts and captained the club to promotion from the Championship last season, and his experience in getting out of the division could prove hugely beneficial.
He’ll be Ipswich’s second signing of the January window following the arrival of Anis Mehmeti from Bristol City in a £3million deal.
Sunderland Miss Out On Goalkeeper Chase
In other Sunderland transfer news, the club have lost out on the race to sign goalkeeper Jonas Omlin to provide back-up to Robin Roefs.
Last week, the club held talks with the Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper over a potential loan deal until the end of the campaign.
That would have then allowed Anthony Patterson to join Millwall on loan for the remainder of the season.
However, they appear to have missed out on his signature with Omlin instead opting for Bayer Leverkusen after Mark Flekken picked up a serious knee injury.
Patterson’s move to Millwall, where he would reunite with former boss Alex Neil, now hangs in the balance unless Sunderland find a replacement.
Last week, Le Bris was asked about the possibility of Patterson leaving, in which he insinuated that a deal would suit all parties.
He said: “It’s tough to speak about individual players, but the whole idea is still the same.
“For players who need minutes, the conversation is still open, and if we can find an agreement, positive for both sides, the club and them, we’ll move forward.
“At the minute nothing is official for any players, but we’re working hard behind the scenes.”
