Patrick Roberts talks underway at Birmingham amid huge Sunderland development
Patrick Roberts’ future could be about to take a major twist at the start of the January transfer window.
The Sunderland star is currently out on loan in the Championship with Birmingham City, where he has quickly become a key player for his loan club in their bid to reach the Premier League.
Birmingham fans have raved about Roberts’ displays for several weeks, and his tally of four goal contributions in the league stands him as one of their most productive players at present.
Chris Davies’ men have struggled to find consistency so far this term, and that has prompted pressure on the manager, but Roberts’ performances have been one of the main highlights of their campaign so far.
Birmingham eye permanent deal for Patrick Roberts
Birmingham were keen beneficiaries when Sunderland wanted to offload Roberts in the summer following their promotion back to the Premier League.
The winger played 48 times for the Black Cats across their league and play-off campaign in 2024-25, but was deemed surplus to requirements when it came to competing in the top flight.
Birmingham snapped him up on a season-long loan deal at the start of September, and the parameters of that deal could now be about to change in January.
The Blues are keen to tie the loanee down to a permanent deal, and they have already opened talks with Sunderland to try and facilitate that, according to The Telegraph.
The 28-year-old is out of contract on Wearside next summer, but his parent club hold the option to extend his deal by a further year.
However, with Birmingham now making their move ahead of the mid-season window, it’s possible that a deal can be struck well before then.
St Andrew’s sale is clearly Sunderland’s best option
Sunderland’s electric start in the Premier League has likely guaranteed that Roberts has no future at the Stadium of Light.
With that in mind, it is surely in their best interests to try and reach an agreement with Birmingham this winter.
Regis Le Bris’ men will be desperate to try and secure some sort of transfer fee for the out-of-favour star, but the extension clause in his contract still provides risk if clubs do not come forward for him next summer.
Roberts appears to be happy at St Andrew’s, and with the second city outfit also keen to strike a deal, it seems like a no-brainer for his parent club.
It is a move that would benefit the player, and Birmingham certainly have the financial capabilities to meet Sunderland’s requirements.
It may not have been what the Black Cats planned for when they initially sanctioned the loan, but it is an opportunity that is surely too good for them to turn down.