Sunderland could sanction Dan Neil’s exit for a cut-price fee amid interest from Rangers, sources have told Football Insider.

The 24-year-old is out of contract with the Premier League side in the summer, and the Black Cats view this as their final chance to secure a transfer fee for the outgoing star.

Rangers have already enquired over Neil’s availability, and sources have now indicated to Football Insider that Sunderland are willing to let him leave before the end of the window, if the right offer comes in.

“Intense competition” is expected for Neil’s signature over the next few weeks, with several clubs across Europe interested in him, and he is reluctantly willing to leave his boyhood club.

Cash offer could secure Dan Neil transfer amid pre-contract battle

FC Koln have already held talks with Neil regarding a potential move, and there are likely to be several other European sides who follow suit in the coming weeks.

Clubs on the continent can sign players on pre-contract agreements once they enter the final six months of their contracts, and while Rangers also have that possibility available to them, they want to add him to their squad before the end of the current window.

Danny Rohl is keen to add options in the middle of the park, and the Stadium of Light star has already been identified as somebody who could come in and strengthen their current options.

Sunderland have seemingly accepted the fact that Neil’s exit is almost inevitable, given that he has played just 13 minutes of league football all season, and their desire to cash in leaves the door open for a club who are willing to pay up front to swoop in.

The Black Cats are hoping that they can net some sort of profit on their academy graduate, rather than watching him walk away for no benefit of their own in the summer.

Rangers already have Neil alternative lined up

Football Insider revealed last weekend that Rangers and Celtic are both interested in Silas Andersen of BK Hacken.

The Old Firm duo are set to battle it out for the highly-rated 21-year-old, who has been identified as another potential option to bolster the ranks in the centre of midfield.

Hacken are reluctant to lose Andersen in the mid-season window, and are expected to place a significant price tag on his head in order to try and fend off the interest from the Glasgow giants.

Nevertheless, the starlet remains firmly on the radar at Ibrox and has already emerged as one of the potential alternative targets to Neil.