Sunderland to grant wantaway Jack Rodwell free transfer?

Sunderland will grant wantaway midfielder Jack Rodwell a free transfer to cut their bloated wage bill, according to a report.

The Black Cats, in desperate need of new recruits to stave off the threat of back-to-back relegations, are said to be paying the Englishman - used just three times this season - £70,000 a week in wages.

Rodwell still has 18 months to run on his current deal, but the Sunderland Echo suggests that the North-East outfit are prepared to cut their losses this month.

After recently asking to leave the club, it is claimed that Rodwell will get his wish if any interested clubs step forward, though he will not receive any kind of payoff.

The 26-year-old was the only player in the Sunderland squad to keep his weekly salary intact following relegation from the Premier League, with others having their pay packet slashed by 40%.