This Sunderland star now looks set to complete a late January transfer exit.
The January transfer window shuts in less than 48 hours now, and it looks set to be a chaotic end to what’s been a very quiet window for Sunderland.
Leo Hjelde arrived on a permanent deal from Leeds United yesterday and Romaine Mundle looks like he’ll join from Standard Liege.
But there could also be a few heading out of the exit doors at the Stadium of Light, with Alex Pritchard perhaps the most obvious.
He’s been heavily linked with a move to Tony Mowbray‘s Birmingham City after Pritchard ruled himself out of contention for the Black Cats.
Birmingham City agree Alex Pritchard fee
An emerging report from Alan Nixon on Patreon has now confirmed that Pritchard, 30, has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with Mowbray’s Blues, after Birmingham City and Sunderland agreed on a fee.
Nixon adds that Pritchard was happy to stay at Sunderland, but that he was only offered an 18-month contract extension and for less money than what he’ll now be earning at St Andrew’s.
The former Spurs talent joined Sunderland on a free transfer in 2021 and has since featured 115 times in all competitions for the Black Cats, scoring nine and assisting 25; so far in the Championship this season, Pritchard has one goal and five assists to his name in 23 appearances.
Time for all to move on
It’s a sad end to what’s been a very positive spell at Sunderland for Pritchard.
He was a bit lost after his Huddersfield Town spell ended in his release. But he showed bravery to drop down to League One with Sunderland, and quality to help them come back up to the Championship and then achieve a top six finish last season.
His assists record in particular is very impressive and he’ll be reuniting with Mowbray who often spoke of his fondness for Pritchard.
So it looks like a good move and a good contract for Pritchard who now has some security over his medium-term future.
And for Sunderland, they can move on from this saga and look to bring in a younger replacement for Pritchard in what is left of this month’s transfer window.
Michael Beale‘s side are back in action against neighbours Middlesbrough in the Championship this weekend; a win could see the Black Cats move into the top six but defeat would bring 11th place Boro level on points.