Maikel Kieftenbeld could leave Birmingham City at last in January with a Championship tug-of-war potentially developing between Sunderland and Derby County.
Six months after that summer move to Derby County collapsed, Maikel Kieftenbeld is being linked with a move away from Birmingham City again.
According to The Mirror (live transfer blog, 7.36pm), Sunderland are lining up a move for the Dutch midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of the season with his future at St Andrews’ remaining uncertain.
Kieftenbeld would be a welcome addition to a Sunderland side who have been beset by injuries in central midfield of late. Lee Cattermole, Darron Gibson and Paddy McNair are out of action while Jack Rodwell remains, let’s say, ineffective.
So the addition of the 27-year-old, renowned for his strength in the tackle and his ability to lead from the centre of the park, would immediately improve the starting XI of Chris Coleman’s bottom-of-the-table Black Cats.
But could Sunderland’s gain be Derby’s loss?
The Rams had all but finalised a deal to take Kieftenbeld to Pride Park on transfer deadline day, even letting Craig Bryson leave on loan for Cardiff City to make room for the former Groningen ace.
The FA, however, refused to ratify the move as the paperwork was not completed on time, forcing Kieftenbeld to return to Birmingham. Rowett, however, had suggested to the Derby Telegraph that he would look at reviving a deal in January.
And while Derby have enjoyed a remarkable surge up the table and sit second right now, it seems that signing a combative midfielder to complement the influential Joe Ledley is Rowett’s main priority in January with the likes of Adam Clayton, Josh Brownhill and Josh Vela all linked recently.
So if Sunderland get their man, it will not go down well at Pride Park.
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