Sunderland ready to make summer move for Birmingham City man | OneFootball

South Korean midfielder Paik Seung-ho only signed for Birmingham City in the January transfer window, beating out competition from Sunderland and others for his signature.

However, the North East club are now reportedly going back in for their previous target this summer.

Birmingham City Seung-ho from South Korean K League 1 side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in January on a two-and-a-half-year deal after his contract expired at the club in his home nation.

According to Sports Donga, the Blues beat out EFL Championship rivals Sunderland to Seung-ho's signature, joining up with ex-Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray in the process.

The 27-year-old was quickly integrated into the first-team set-up in the West Midlands. He made his debut off the bench in a 1-0 defeat to city rivals West Bromwich Albion in early February and received his first start in a 1-0 home victory over Blackburn Rovers.

Sunderland plotting fresh Paik Seung-ho swoop

Despite missing out on Seung-ho in January, Sunderland are plotting a surprising new effort to sign him in the summer transfer window after only playing for his new team for half a season, according to a report from Football Insider.

Sunderland are prepared to make an offer for Paik Seung-ho in the summer even though the midfielder will be only six months into a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The Black Cats will likely have to offer a substantial fee to Birmingham to buy the midfielder out of his contract in the Midlands. However, Sunderland's pursuit of Seung-ho could be handed a huge boost if the Blues get relegated to League One.

Upon signing for the Championship club in an interview with Blues TV, Paik said: "I am really, really happy to be part of this club and this team. I am really excited. I can't wait to start.

"Since I was young and I started to watch football, one of my dreams was to come to England and play football. When I heard Birmingham was interested in me, I was really happy."

Paik has achieved his dream of playing football in England, but he may not be as happy to play for his club next season if they are playing in the third tier.

Birmingham are in 22nd place in the Championship table and on course for relegation. They are just one point away from escaping the drop zone and have two crucial final matches against Huddersfield Town and Norwich City to end the season.

Should the Midlands outfit drop into League One for the 2024/25 season, they may be forced to sell Paik among many players owing to the tightening of finances that comes from relegation.

Paik Seung-ho has top-level experience that could prove vital at Sunderland

If Paik Seung-ho does depart St. Andrew's for the Stadium of Light in the summer, then Sunderland will have a player with plenty of high-level football experience.

The South Korean spent time in the famous La Masia academy of Spanish football giants Barcelona before going on to play 2. Bundesliga and K League 1 as a senior professional.

Paik has been capped 15 times by his national team, scoring three times, and even has World Cup appearances to his name, where he scored a stunning goal against former world champions Brazil.

Birmingham City will surely be disappointed if Paik Seung-ho leaves in the summer, but they may not have much choice if Gary Rowett is unable to keep them in the division.

Sunderland meanwhile could do with adding a bit more experience to their young squad, and Seung-ho would certainly provide plenty of that in the engine room.