Pritchard and the Black Cats are not going to be happy with the latest information that has surfaced about him.
According to Alan Nixon, Birmingham City is content to hold out on signing Sunderland midfielder Alex Pritchard until the summer.
The Midlands team has had a fairly quiet window so far, and their lone signing is Andre Dozzell, who left Queens Park Rangers on loan.
To be fair, Blues had a hectic summer transfer window with a lot of new players joining.
The money they made from summer transfers—not just from Jude Bellingham’s departure from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid, but also from the sales of Jobe Bellingham and Tahith Chong—allowed them to make team improvements.
Blues included a sell-on provision when the latter decided to move to Germany, and it has turned out to be a very wise move.
They still have a few days left to make any acquisitions they would like to, but this money might even assist get deals over the line for others during the January transfer window.
Birmingham City’s stance on Alex Pritchard
Pritchard and manager Tony Mowbray previously collaborated at the Stadium of Light, so it’s hardly surprising that the Blues are interested in the 30-year-old.
His contract expires at the end of the current season, therefore the Midlands team may be able to get him for a reasonable price during this window.
The fact that Pritchard submitted a transfer request and withdrew from consideration for selection may have further reduced his price, placing the Black Cats in a difficult situation as the window draws to a close.
It is somewhat of a setback for the 30-year-old, who is eager to leave the team right away, but Birmingham is content to wait until the summer when he will be available for free.
Although a move to St Andrew’s doesn’t appear likely at this time, the Black Cats still want to see him go before the window closes at the end of the month.
What Birmingham City should do regarding Alex Pritchard saga
A lowball bid for the 30-year-old Pritchard should be considered by Birmingham if Mowbray is serious about acquiring him.
Given that the player is obviously unhappy, Michael Beale’s team might be willing to approve his departure in exchange for a little sum of money. If that’s all it takes to entice the player to St Andrew’s, the Blues should be prepared to pay that sum.
In the summer, they could sign him for nothing, but by then, he might have several contract offers on the table.
While the Black Cats might not be able to sign him to a long-term contract, another team could be able to.
And for that reason, the Blues should try to sign him this window if at all possible, but they shouldn’t allow themselves to be overpay for the 30-year-old.
