Paik Seung-ho, a January transfer window addition, arrived yesterday, marking Blues’ second acquisition of the window from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
He replaced Andre Dozzell, who signed a season-long loan from Queens Park Rangers and will continue at St Andrew’s.
Even though they haven’t done much business this month, it makes sense given how active they were during the summer transfer window—the club spent a good deal of money during that window while also making a lot of money.
With players like Scott Hogan, Lukas Jutkiewicz, and Jay Stansfield still at St Andrew’s, there was a lot of attention focused on their forward department, but it doesn’t appear like they will bolster that area.
Pritchard, however, appears to be headed to the Midlands team after submitting a transfer request at the Stadium of Light last week. And new information regarding this impending move has surfaced.
Details of Alex Pritchard’s move to Birmingham City
The 30-year-old has previously been linked to the Blues, but Alan Nixon said last week that they were content to wait until the summer to sign him because his contract would expire then.
However, the same source also said that Birmingham would lose out on him if they didn’t make a play for him this month since the Black Cats were eager to get rid of him as soon as possible after his transfer request.
Birmingham City and Preston North End are looking for a League One goalkeeper.
This might be the reason Tony Mowbray’s team is trying to sign him, with an agreement perhaps in place for a £100,000 contract.
Additionally, a two-and-a-half year contract was reached, with Pritchard expected to get a sizable pay increase as part of it.
This move is “very close” to being finalized, and it doesn’t appear like there are any obstacles standing in the way of the transaction closing, barring his failing a physical.
Alex Pritchard deal works for all parties
For a guy like Pritchard who can make an impact at this level, to only receive £100,000 is criminal.
But this arrangement works for Michael Beale’s team since he was obviously dissatisfied at the Stadium of Light and they couldn’t afford to keep him there.
Birmingham, on the other hand, is getting a very good player for a very modest cost.
They are trying to follow budgetary guidelines, so they won’t want to spend excessively in January, but the Pritchard deal is a great one for them.