Ex Spurs and Brentford star refuses to play for club in blockbuster bid to force transfer

Former Tottenham Hotspur star Alex Pritchard has pulled a dramatic move to force a January transfer exit from Championship club Sunderland.

The 30-year-old, who is a product of the Spurs academy and spent five years on the books at the club, has refused to play for the Black Cats. Pritchard withdrew himself from today's matchday squad to face Stoke City at the Stadium of Light in the second division this afternoon.

A Sunderland statement read: "On Friday morning, Alex Pritchard informed the Club that he was no longer available for selection and he subsequently withdrew from today’s matchday squad.

"The midfielder also expressed his desire to leave SAFC with immediate effect. The Club will be making no further comment at this moment in time."

The blockbuster news comes just days after Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman admitted that the club had offered the player a new deal. Pritchard's current contract is set to expire this summer and, according to reports, the player wanted to quit Wearside last summer.

The midfielder has been linked with a transfer to Birmingham City to reunite with former Sunderland coach Tony Mowbray. There is also believed to be interested in his services from Turkey.

Pritchard has made 25 appearances in all competitions for Sunderland this season, picking up a goal and five assists. He has been at the club since joining from Huddersfield Town in 2021 and has played over 100 times for the side.

The Orsett-born star arrived at the Spurs academy from the West Ham youth set-up in 2009 and would go on to make his professional debut for the club in a Premier League meeting with Aston Villa in 2014. He only made one more first-team appearance, against Everton in 2015, and was sold to Norwich City in 2016 for around £8 million.

While on the books at Spurs, Pritchard spent loan spells at Peterborough United, Swindon Town and West Brom. He also enjoyed a season at Brentford in 2014-15 and turned heads as one of the Championship's most promising stars.