Football
Exclusive: Birmingham City Push to Sign Patrick Roberts on Permanent Deal
Birmingham City keen on securing Patrick Roberts permanently after successful loan spell at Sunderland. Manager Chris Davies eager to sign the playmaker, with Wolves loanee Tommy Doyle also a priority. Roberts' future uncertain as Black Cats hold option for an additional year.
Birmingham City v Sheffield Wednesday - Sky Bet Championship by NurPhoto | Getty Images
Birmingham City are eager to make Patrick Roberts’ loan move permanent, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The playmaker helped Sunderland get promoted to the Premier League last season, but was deemed surplus to requirements ahead of their long-awaited return to the top flight.
He was one of 14 summer signings at St Andrew’s as the Blues returned to the Championship.
Manager Chris Davies was a huge admirer of the player he had previously worked with during his time at Scottish giants Celtic.
And our sources understand a permanent deal for Roberts is among the Blues’ top priorities, as is signing Wolves loanee Tommy Doyle, as revealed by SportsBoom last month.
Roberts’ deal at the Stadium of Light is up at the end of the season, but the club hold an option for an additional year.
Blues’ bosses are hopeful they are at the front of the queue if the Black Cats trigger the one-year option and decide to put the 28-year-old up for sale.
Roberts' Next Move Secured?
When he secured his loan move to the club in the summer, Roberts said: “I know the manager, I used to work with him when I was younger, so one phone call from him was all I needed.”
“It didn't take much to persuade me but we had a good relationship when I was young at Celtic.”
“I'm striving to get to the top. I did it last season and did it the hard way. I'm here to help Birmingham.”
Roberts left Fulham to join Manchester City’s academy as a youngster and had six loan moves before moving to Sunderland.
He played in three title-winning sides at Celtic, including the treble campaign in 2017/18 and was twice a play-off promotion winner at the Black Cats.
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