Sunderland’s success to benefit Championship promotion hopefuls as transfer talks underway
One of Sunderland’s promotion-winning stars could leave the club permanently in January.
Sunderland face Man City on New Year’s Day, looking to start 2026 as they finished 2025; unbeaten at the Stadium of Light.
However, soon after, the attention of those behind the scenes will shift immediately to the January transfer window, with more outgoings expected than there are incomings.
Among those linked with an exit are Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil and Patrick Roberts, the latter of whom could leave permanently.
Birmingham City in talks over Roberts deal
One of the victims of Sunderland’s promotion back to the Premier League was indeed Roberts, who joined Birmingham on loan after it became apparent that he would have no role to play in the top flight.
Since then, Birmingham fans have grown to adore Roberts, who has two goals and two assists in 16 starts for the Blues.
Tom Wagner, in an interview with The Telegraph, has since confirmed that Birmingham are working on turning his loan into a permanent deal, and given the fact that the Black Cats sit seventh heading into the new year, they have every chance of concluding a deal.
“We’re working really hard there,” Wagner said in reply to a question over Roberts’ future.
“January is always tough because the number of options that are available to you is always lower.“
With Sunderland linked with a move to sign Brennan Johnson, it’s clear that they want to bring another winger into the Stadium of Light, which would pave the way for Roberts’ exit.
Roberts has given a lot to Sunderland over the years
Roberts frustrated a lot of fans, myself included. But the truth of the matter is that he was a crucial player in the promotion not only from League One, but also from the Championship.
It was his goal against Sheffield Wednesday that cemented Sunderland’s spot in the play-off final against Wycombe, and just a few years later, it was his assist that flipped the game on its head against Sheffield United at Wembley.
However, as much as it will pain many fans to accept, Sunderland have simply outgrown a lot of the players many learned to love, with new ambitions on Wearside.
The Black Cats are genuine contenders for European football in their first season back in the top flight, and any sentimental value goes out the window in that regard.
Nevertheless, if Roberts is to secure a permanent exit from the Stadium of Light, he will do so with the best wishes from Sunderland supporters.
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