Sunderland have rejected an approach from Birmingham City for Alex Pritchard, according to a report from Sports Illustrated.
The Blues made an approach to sign the 30-year-old midfielder today but the Black Cats have wasted no time in rejecting the offer. Pritchard is out of contract at the end of the season at the Stadium of Light, but Michael Beale’s side are not willing to let him go six months early.
New Birmingham manager Tony Mowbray has worked with the player previously during his time at Sunderland and is keen to try and bring him in for the second half of the campaign. The offer however was rejected outright, spoiling any hopes of a mid-season reunion.
The former Tottenham Hotspur player has made 23 appearances in the Championship this season, scoring once and delivering five assists. His current club have not made any approaches to renew his deal as of yet, meaning he is free to negotiate with clubs this month for the summer window.
Despite the contract situation, Sunderland would prefer to keep the player until at least the summer. The Blues have yet to respond to their bid being rejected and it’s not known whether they will come back with a new and improved offer at this moment.
The Orsett-born midfielder played 90 minutes against Hull City on Friday as his club suffered a huge dent in their play-off hopes with a 1-0 defeat. They now sit tenth in the table, three points behind Sam Gallagher City in sixth place.
Birmingham are down the under end of the table in 20th position but have won two out of two in the league since Mowbray took over. The club are looking to be active in the market and have been linked to Blackburn Rovers striker Sam Gallagher as well as Barnsley midfielder Callum Styles in recent days.
Pritchard is set to remain in Wearside until the end of the season for now unless the Blues come back in with an irresistible offer in the coming days.
Writer’s View
The 30-year-old midfielder has been in great form this season and Mowbray will understand how important getting a deal for him over the line could be to making survival in the division easier. The manager knows the player well and is likely to have been behind the decision to approach.
His current club are wise to keep hold of him during a push for the play-offs, but they may need to begin contract talks soon to avoid losing him for good at the end of this campaign.
