A Sunderland favourite is now hopeful of signing a new contract with the club.
Sunderland are yet to open talks with any of the five players who face leaving the club on a free transfer at the end of the season, though it is only Alex Pritchard that fans are pleading to put pen to paper on a new deal.
The midfielder came close to a controversial exit last summer, but he ended up remaining on Wearside and has since earned his place back in the starting line-up.
Alex Pritchard was out of favour under Tony Mowbray, but he has since racked up the most assists in the squad (5) and has started five of the last eight games in the Championship.
Michael Beale has already admitted that he would look to see the 30-year-old handed a new deal, but his future looked even further in doubt when recent reports claimed that Birmingham City were among three clubs looking to sign him on a free.
Despite Mowbray’s lack of interest in Pritchard while he was at the Stadium of Light, the Blues could swoop for the veteran, while Turkish side Sivasspor have reportedly already made a move to sign him on a pre-contract agreement.
Given the midfielder’s lack of game time over the last year or so, it wouldn’t have been a huge surprise if Pritchard had left out of frustration at the end of his £6.7k-per-week contract. However, it now looks like he is eager to stay.
Speaking to his Patreon, journalist Alan Nixon said: “Sunderland star Alex Pritchard is waiting on a new contract offer as Tony Mowbray considers taking him to Birmingham City.
“Pritchard is a free agent in the summer and the Black Cats could lose him. Blues are interested in him but will find it hard to do a deal now but could take him later on a free.”
Are Sunderland daft enough to let Alex Pritchard leave?
It’s been a tough period for Sunderland under Michael Beale and there has been very few players that have continued to impress, but Alex Pritchard is one of them.
The midfielder ages like fine wine and has comfortably been one of our better players this season – despite only starting nine games.
The 30-year-old adds leadership, determination and experience that we really lack in this youthful squad and to get rid of that and probably replace him with another promising starlet would be another huge mistake made by Kristjaan Speakman.
If Pritchard wants to stay then it would be a shocking decision not to offer him a new deal, but I certainly wouldn’t put it past him given the decisions the club have made over the last few months.
Pritchard’s potential exit would really be the final straw for many fans, especially if he went to Birmingham City and showed us exactly what we were missing.
Get him tied down to a new contract and give supporters something to cheer about.