Sunderland reject Birmingham offer for Alex Pritchard

Tony Mowbray has made Sunderland midfielder Alex Pritchard a top transfer target and he has already made his move.

Sunderland have rejected a bid from Birmingham City for Alex Pritchard, Sunderland Nation can reveal.

Reports this weekend have linked Birmingham with Pritchard, with Tony Mowbray a fan having worked with him at Sunderland.

However, we understand it is a lot more that mere interest and that an offer has already been made, and rejected, for the midfielder.

• READ MORE: Awful handling of Alex Pritchard situation only likely to burn more trust at Sunderland

Pritchard is still almost certain to leave Sunderland, though, and most likely this month too.

He is in the final six months of his current deal and there are no plans from the club to extend that – which is a decision only likely to draw further criticism from already disgruntled supporters.

Ideally, Sunderland would prefer to keep him until the summer when it will be easier to sign a replacement, but if Pritchard starts angling for a move himself or the club receive a big enough offer this month, that exit could happen before the January deadline.

Pritchard himself wants to remain at Sunderland, where he is settled and feels a strong connection with supporters.

There is also an emotional attachment there with the player being a key part in lifting the club from League One despair to contenders for promotion to the Premier League, and he would love to continue that journey and hopefully see it through.

Unfortunately, it appears the club are not of similar mind. 

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