Sunderland have told £10m midfielder Jack Rodwell they will tear up his contract if he can find another club.
Press Association Sport understands the 26-year-old, who has made just 76 senior appearances for the Black Cats during his three and a half years to date on Wearside, has asked to leave the Stadium of Light and has been told he can go for free.
However, it is understood Rodwell, whose five-year contract when he joined the club from Manchester City in August 2014 did not include a 40 per cent wage reduction clause in the event of relegation, is yet to accept the offer.
He last turned out for Sunderland in their 3-0 EFL Cup defeat at former club Everton on September 20, the last of only three appearances during the campaign to date, and has not featured at all under current boss Chris Coleman.
Source: tribalfootball.com