Dan Neil is a free agent after Sunderland let his contract expire on June 30. Rangers, West Ham United and Hull City are already weighing a move, and the race has started before he has spent long on the market.
The midfielder is 24 and left with over 175 Sunderland appearances behind him. He also captained Sunderland during a promotion campaign, so any club chasing him is not looking at a stopgap.
West Ham United and Hull City
West Ham United is described as the most ambitious option, while Hull City is the pragmatic choice. That split tells you how the market can pull in two directions at once: one club may sell a bigger project, while another may offer a cleaner path to minutes and an immediate role.
Neil’s most recent spell adds another layer. In the second half of the 2025-26 season, he was on loan at Ipswich Town and made 16 appearances, giving interested clubs a fresh sample of how he fits away from Sunderland.
Rangers join the race
Rangers are in the same group of suitors, which keeps the decision open across different types of move and different levels of ambition. For Neil, that means the next step is less about availability — he is already available — and more about which club moves first with the clearest offer.
The practical picture is simple. Sunderland have lost him on a free transfer, the 24-year-old midfielder is available now, and three clubs are already linked to him. Which of Rangers, West Ham United or Hull City acts fastest will shape the rest of this chase.
