Will Sunderland have themselves to blame if Sheffield Wednesday snatch Jack Baldwin?

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Sunderland were reportedly confident of signing Jack Baldwin from League One competitors Peterborough United.

Sunderland might just have shot themselves in the foot as the race to sign Peterborough United captain Jack Baldwin goes on.

A month ago, the Chronicle stated that Sunderland were confident of signing the 24-year-old former Hartlepool favourite, who was understood to be available for a bargain fee of just £250,000.

Four weeks have passed, however, and it seems that Sunderland have not exactly stepped things up, although owner Stuart Donald admitted to the Roker Report podcast that Baldwin was indeed ‘on the list’ after all.

Now, however, Sunderland’s hopes could be hanging by a thread. Because Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony has claimed on the club’s YouTube channel that Sheffield Wednesday have made contact about signing the defender.

And this could see Sunderland miss out, although Wednesday’s initial approach was turned down.

The Black Cats might be the biggest club in League One, but the fact that they are playing third tier football could put off targets looking to prove themselves at the highest possible level; Reading midfielder George Evans for one. And Baldwin could be forgiven for choosing Championship side Wednesday over the prospect of swapping one League One club for another.

Sunderland were confident of signing Baldwin a month ago but maybe they have waited too long to step things up a notch.