Sunderland Reject Approach For Star Midfielder

Sports Illustrated reports that Sunderland turned down a bid for Alex Pritchard from Birmingham City.

 

The 30-year-old midfield player was approached by the Blues today, but the

Black Cats quickly turned down the offer. Although Pritchard’s contract at the

Stadium of Light expires at the end of the current campaign, Michael Beale’s team

is unwilling to let him leave six months early.

The player was previously under Tony Mowbray’s tutelage at Sunderland, and

the new manager of Birmingham is eager to try and bring him in for the

second half of the season. However, the offer was flatly turned down, dash[ing]

any expectations of a mid-season reunion.

 

This season, the former Tottenham Hotspur player has made 23 appearances in the Championship, contributing five

assists and one goal. He is free to talk with teams this month for the summer

window as his present club has not yet made any moves to extend his contract.

Sunderland would love to retain the player until at least the summer, whatever the contractual predicament.

The Blues have not yet replied to the rejection of their bid, and it is currently

unknown if they will resubmit with an enhanced offer.

 

The midfielder, who was born in Orsett, played 90 minutes against Hull City on Friday as his team lost 1-0, severely

hurting their chances of making the playoffs. They are now three points

behind Coventry City in sixth position in the league, sitting in tenth place.

 

Despite being in 20th place on the table, Birmingham has won two of its last two

league games since Mowbray took charge. The team wants to be involved in

the market and has been linked to Barnsley midfielder Callum Styles and

Blackburn Rovers attacker Sam Gallagher recently.

 

Unless the Blues make a counter offer in the next few days, Pritchard is expected

to stay on Wearside until the end of the season.