SUNDERLAND are determined to resolve Julio Arca's future quickly and end fears the South American may walk away from the club for nothing next summer.

The Argentinian has just 12 months of his contract remaining before he can turn his back on the Stadium of Light on a free transfer next July.

That is why Sunderland are so keen to tie Arca down to a long term deal on Wearside and ensure they do not end out of pocket this time next year.

Both Celtic and West Brom are known admirers of the attack-minded left-back and £3m bids have been touted.

Sunderland vice-chairman John Fickling wants to make sure Arca commits the next few years, at least, to Mick McCarthy's men, ending talk of moving on.

Failure to sign a new contract will lead to Fickling and the rest of the board having to consider the possibility of having to offload the player before he can leave for free.

"Julio's got another 12 months to run and we see him in our plans for the future," said Fickling. "We will do everything in our power to keep Julio and get him to sign a longer contract.

"We are working hard to do that but we have to see whether Julio, or any other player in the same situation, is committed to the club.

"If they are not committed to the club then we might as well realise some value for them now.

"That's the way to do it because once a player is in his last 12 months he can talk to other clubs in January and that's why we want to sort it out now.

"We are still in discussions from all points of view to try to get things sorted out as quickly as possible."

Arca is Sunderland's prize asset and is a big part of McCarthy's plans in his side's push for promotion to the Premiership next season.

The left-footer has been in contract negotiations for over a month and will be with the rest of the squad when they fly out to America for a pre-season tour on Sunday.

The 23-year-old signed four years ago after a £3.5m move from Argentinos Juniors and McCarthy hopes the player will continue his stay in the North-East.

One player who could still be departing is striker Marcus Stewart.

Stewart, like Arca, still has another 12 months to run on his existing deal and a move to Bristol City is understood to have broken down last month over personal terms.

McCarthy - who allowed old heads Jason McAteer, Phil Babb and Joachim Bjorklund to leave at the end of last season - has adopted a buy young policy so far this summer.

Liam Lawrence, Dean Whitehead, Stephen Elliott and Steve Caldwell have all arrived and the manager is still on the look out for one, possibly two, new forwards.

And McCarthy said: "Marcus has got one year left. When players get into that position, it can throw up some difficult decisions. Do you negotiate? Do you keep them on?

"Does he want to move on? We will see. I have spoken to all of the players.

"If they are involved at the start of the season they will get maximum commitment and respect from me and I expect to get exactly the same back from them.