Alex Pritchard is set to leave Sunderland this summer.
Speaking ahead of the Rotherham United clash, Tony Mowbray admitted that it looks likely that the midfielder is on his way out after entering the final year of his contract.
Pritchard joined the Black Cats on a free transfer in 2021 and quickly rediscovered his form, picking up eight goals and 19 assists across two seasons at the club.
The 30-year-old played a key part in Sunderland’s promotion back to the Championship, but has struggled to maintain a regular spot in the starting line-up in the second tier.
Reports this summer claimed that Pritchard was one of three players that had been told their contract wouldn’t be extended next year, while Mowbray had already admitted that he wouldn’t stand in the way if the midfielder wanted to leave.
After a lot of uncertainty around Pritchard’s future, it now looks like he will leave Wearside to find a new club over the next two weeks.
Alex Pritchard could leave Sunderland – but his situation is ‘complicated’
“I like Pritch,” said Mowbray, whose side will attempt to secure a first win of the season when they line up against the Millers. “Pritch is a good player.
“I don’t want to get too prescriptive about it, but it looks like Pritch is going to leave the football club. We have to move past that, we have to move on – that’s football.
“Every footballer understands it is a transient game. I got a testimonial at Middlesbrough – I was there 12 years – but that’s very, very rare in modern-day football. Footballers come and then they move on, and supporters understand that.
“Alex’s situation is a little bit more complicated than I can discuss openly. He’s a good football player, but there is a fair percentage (likelihood) that he will leave the football club in the next few weeks. If he doesn’t, then we can have more discussions after the window shuts.”