boss David Moyes has insisted he would never have allowed striker Jermain Defoe to have the clause in his contract which means he can leave for free in the wake of relegation.
The 34-year-old striker, who could play his final home game against Swansea on Saturday, is currently assessing his options as the Black Cats prepare for life back in the Sky Bet Championship. Moyes is hoping he decides to remain on Wearside, with potential suitors already forming an orderly queue.
However, the Scot has admitted his surprise that the club agreed to the clause when they signed him from Toronto in a deal worth around £6million in January 2015 during Gus Poyet's reign.