Sunderland passes on a move for the top midfield player..

Sports Illustrated reports that Sunderland turned down a bid for Alex Pritchard from Birmingham City.

The 30-year-old midfield player was approached by the Blues today, but the Black Cats quickly turned down the offer. Although Pritchard’s contract at the Stadium of Light expires at the end of the current campaign, Michael Beale’s team is unwilling to let him leave six months early.

The player was previously under Tony Mowbray’s tutelage at Sunderland, and the new manager of Birmingham is eager to try and bring him in for the second half of the season. However, the offer was flatly turned down, dash[ing] any expectations of a mid-season reunion.

This season, the former Tottenham Hotspur player has made 23 appearances in the Championship, contributing five assists and one goal. He is free to talk with teams this month for the summer window as his present club has not yet made any moves to extend his contract.

Sunderland would love to retain the player until at least the summer, whatever the contractual predicament. The Blues have not yet replied to the rejection of their bid, and it is currently unknown if they will resubmit with an enhanced offer.

The midfielder, who was born in Orsett, played 90 minutes against Hull City on Friday as his team lost 1-0, severely hurting their chances of making the playoffs. They are now three points behind Coventry City in sixth position in the league, sitting in tenth place.

Despite being in 20th place on the table, Birmingham has won two of its last two league games since Mowbray took charge. In an attempt to be active in the transfer window, the club has recently been connected to Barnsley midfielder Callum Styles and Blackburn Rovers striker Sam Gallagher.

Unless the Blues make a counter offer in the next few days, Pritchard is expected to stay on Wearside until the end of the season.