Sunderland have won only one game in which Jack Rodwell started in the past three seasons
Sunderland midfielder Jack Rodwell is "the worst mistake the club has ever made," according to former Black Cats striker Marco Gabiadinni.
Having asked to leave the club, Sunderland offered to cancel the 26-year-old's £60,000-a-week contract, the Press Association reported on Monday.
His deal, which has 18 months left, is said not to have a 40% wage reduction clause in the event of relegation.
"There was no safety valve in that contract whatsoever," said Gabiaddini.
"(The club) took a punt on a player but the contract he had - there was no real contingency in it, was there?"
"For the football club, (his contract) is a massive liability that they've got to somehow get him out of."
Sunderland signed Rodwell from Manchester City in August 2014 for £10m.
The former Everton midfielder, capped three times by England, has only made 53 starts for the Black Cats - with only three league appearances coming this season.
Jack Rodwell in focusMade his Everton debut against AZ Alkmaar in December 2007, aged 16 years and 284 days - becoming the youngest player to represent Everton in EuropeMade 85 league appearances for the Toffees, scoring four timesMoved to Manchester City for £12m on a five-year deal in August 2012Played just 16 league games for City in two seasons after struggling with a hamstring injuryMade his England debut in a 1-0 win over Spain in November 2011 and has since earned two more caps against Sweden and BrazilJoined Sunderland in August 2014 for £10m
Source: bbc.com