Derby County have held talks with former Huddersfield Town attacker Alex Pritchard but, according to the Northern Echo, Sunderland are expected to win the race for his signature.
When Lee Johnson’s side lost to Lincoln City in the play-offs, which consigned them to a fourth straight season of third-tier football, you’d have been laughed out of Wearside if you suggested Sunderland would sign an £11 million playmaker just a few weeks later.
So while Pritchard’s reputation has taken a beating in the past few years – he started just six Championship games for Huddersfield in 2020/21 before being allowed to leave on a free transfer – the one-time Tottenham youngster still feels like a massive coup for a League One club, even if Sunderland aren’t your average third-tier side.
The Echo reports Pritchard has held talks with Birmingham City and a Derby side under the stewardship of Wayne Rooney.
But the 28-year-old is expected to snub Championship offers in favour of Sunderland, with one of English football’s slumbering giants convincing Pritchard he can get his once promising career back on track at the Stadium of Light.
Why would Pritchard choose Sunderland over Derby?
Pritchard was being linked with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers as recently as 2018.
And, if he can stay free of injuries and rediscover the form he showed at Norwich City and Brentford, a gifted lock-picker boasts enough natural talent to be considered the most gifted footballer in League One.
According to The Echo, a deal could be reached before the weekend.
Pritchard won’t be providing ammunition for Charlie Wyke next season, however.
Sunderland’s 30-goal top scorer has joined League One rivals Wigan Athletic on a staggering £10,000 a week, completing a shock move to the DW Stadium despite interest from Scottish giants Celtic.
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