Sweden international Sebastian Larsson is eager to prolong his career in England despite Sunderland’s reluctance to renew his present contract.
The former Arsenal graduate is due to leave the Black Cats in the summer with his current deal due to expire at the end of this month.
Larsson had managed to prove an influential figure during the Black Cats’ Premier League escape in recent seasons, but even his best efforts were not sufficient this term as the Wearside club ended their 10-year stay in the English top tier. Larsson’s agent has revealed his client’s intention to stay put in England even if it means to join a fellow Championship club.
“He is very excited to stay in England,” Per Jonsson told FotbollDirekt.se adding that the Swede is not prepared for a return home with offers from Turkey and China also in consideration. Larsson’s contract had been due an extension earlier in the season, but the change in management has sort of stalled the agreement for the time being.
Larsson managed to net 14 goals in 203 outings for Sunderland following his switch from Birmingham City in 2011 – at the time when they were relegated from the top tier of English football. The 31-year-old was asked about his future plans in the press last month for which he said that it was up to the club to decide on whether to extend his contract.
Sunderland will be in dire need of a new striker as they head into the Championship with Jermain Defoe likely to leave owing to a relegation release clause in his contract. The England international bagged 15 goals in the top flight last term, and this rewarded him with a national team spot which he does not want to let go of until the World Cup finals in Brazil next year.