“Would be a significant coup” – Alex Neil & Stoke City considering Sunderland raid this January: The verdict | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Stoke City are reportedly interested in Sunderland midfielder Alex Pritchard ahead of the January transfer window.

According to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, the Potters and Pritchard’s former club Norwich City are among a host of Championship clubs keeping tabs on the 29-year-old.

Pritchard helped Sunderland to promotion through the League One play-offs last season and has remained a key member of the Black Cats side in the second tier, featuring in all but two games this campaign, scoring two goals and registering three assists.

But he is out of contract at the Stadium of Light at the end of the season and as he is yet to sign an extension, his future is uncertain.

We asked some of our FLW writers for their thoughts on a potential move to Stoke.

James Reeves

Alex Neil is no stranger to Pritchard’s qualities having worked with him previously at Norwich and Sunderland, so the Scotsman’s presence in the dug out at the bet365 Stadium could be a pull factor.

It has been a very inconsistent start to life for Neil at the club, with the Potters currently sitting 17th in the table, so there is no doubt January recruits are needed if he is to turn around their fortunes and bringing in a player he knows and trusts could prove useful.

Pritchard would add class and creativity into the Stoke midfield and could help to provide service for some of the club’s under-performing strikers, such as Tyrese Campbell and Dwight Gayle.

But given Sunderland’s current lofty position and the Potters’ struggles, there is an argument to say that it would be a backwards career move.

If Stoke can secure the deal, however, it would be a significant coup and he would be a huge asset as they look to climb the table.

Quiz: Have any of these 25 ex-Stoke City players ever played for a Yorkshire based team?

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1. Ryan Shawcross

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Declan Harte

Pritchard will know Neil well from their time together at Sunderland, which could persuade him to make the switch to Stoke.

Pritchard was a key player for Neil during his stint in charge at the Stadium of Light, and he could reunite that fruitful partnership with the Potters.

However, a move from Stoke to Sunderland does look like a backwards step at the moment given the current trajectory of the two clubs.

It may take a strong monetary offer from Stoke to convince him to make this switch given how important a player he already is under Tony Mowbray.

While it is obvious why the interest is there, this doesn’t seem like a worthwhile move for Pritchard.

I can definitely understand why Stoke would be interested.

Pritchard carries a goal threat from midfield and given that his current contract expires in the summer, the Potters are perhaps eyeing a cut price deal next month.

However, from Pritchard’s perspective, you’d surely want to see the season out at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland moved up to fourth in the league standings following their win over Wigan last night and Pritchard has been a regular in the side all season long.

Stoke, meanwhile, are struggling down in 17th.

If I were advising Pritchard, then, I’d advise him to see the season out with Sunderland and see what the summer brings.