Grayson hints at McGeady signing

New Sunderland manager Simon Grayson says "time will tell" whether he makes Everton winger Aiden McGeady his first signing at the Stadium of Light.

McGeady has another 12 months remaining on his Goodison Park contract, but does not feature in Ronald Koeman's plans and The Toffees are willing to sell the Glasgow-born winger for just £2m.

Then Preston manager Grayson signed the 31-year-old on loan from Everton on August 2016 transfer deadline day and the Ireland international was named the Championship club's player of the year following an outstanding season at Deepdale.

The Lilywhites were unable to afford McGeady's £50,000-a-week wages to make the deal permanent this summer, but Sunderland owner Ellis Short is likely to sanction McGeady's wage demands to sign a proven Championship performer, despite the club being £110m in debt.

Sunderland have been linked with a move for McGeady, and Preston's Middlesbrough-born striker Jordan Hugill, with Grayson hinting that a deal with Everton for McGeady is the more likely option.

"Well, there there you go, two players I've worked with before and people have been linked with me," Grayson said.

"Them to have been linked, time will tell if they land on our doorstep.

"Time will tell whether we go back to Preston, but I've got a huge amount of respect for that football club and I don't want to do too much to harm that.

"I've already taken my assistant manager [Glynn Snodin] from there, so maybe not too many there."

The Black Cats have already confirmed that Ireland defender John O'Shea has agreed a new one-year contract at the Stadium of Light.

O'Shea was one of several senior players not included on Sunderland's retained list following their relegation from the Premier League in May, but new boss Grayson has acted swiftly to sign the five-time Premier League winner on a new short-term contract.

"O'Shea, 36, will link up with his team-mates next week after representing Ireland in their World Cup qualifying campaign at the start of June," a club statement confirmed.

Image: Inpho

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