Birmingham City backed to complete permanent transfer for Celtic favourite as Sunderland raid gets thumbs up
The favourite of the Celtic support is on loan at Birmingham City from Sunderland.
Birmingham City have been backed to make a move to Sunderland for Celtic hero after impressing on loan.
Patrick Roberts joined the Blues - managed by ex-Celtic coach Chris Davies - on a season-long deal from Sunderland. He is contracted at the Black Cats until 2026 but they have an option to extend his deal and that could force suitors like Birmingham City into paying a fee for his services over a permanent deal.
Roberts has a goal and two assists for Birmingham City, having featured 78 times in Hoops with 18 goals and 26 assists during his fruitful spells in Scotland. Don Goodman is formerly of Sunderland and regular pundit on EFL clubs, and can see why fans at the English Championship side would want to see Roberts stick around long haul.
Will Patrick Roberts sign for Birmingham City permanently?
Goodman told Football League World: "Yes, I can absolutely understand why Birmingham fans would urge the club to make Patrick Roberts' signing permanent. His pedigree at this level is undeniable. Last season, plenty of assists for Sunderland. He probably should score more goals with the ability that he's got, but he does seem to be more of an assister than a goalscorer.
“He's already on the scoresheet and has got a couple of assists for Birmingham, but more than that, he's very good in the way that they want to go about football with that aggressive high price. He fits into that really well and he's been really impressive in a Birmingham City shirt."
Roberts recently said on his future: "I don’t think too much into it. I’ll give my all to Birmingham to achieve the objectives they want to achieve and what will be will be. I just enjoy playing football and I’m lucky enough to still be playing football. What will be will be."
What did Patrick Roberts say about move to Birmingham City?
Speaking initially on swapping Sunderland for Birmingham City, Roberts said: “I’m a winner. And this is a place, and a club, that wants to strive to get to the top. And off the back of last season, where I did that (winning promotion), I can see there’s potential here to have a good season.
“It didn’t take much convincing. It’s a big club, and getting back to where Birmingham should be is an aim. Doing what the club did last season is no small feat. It’s a hard league, I’ve played in it myself, so to go and get the points record is something special. To join now is exciting, there’s a lot of momentum, and it’s a huge club.”
On the flanks currently at Celtic, Daizen Maeda is still a key man with summer signing Sebastian Tounekti impressing, and Yang has come back to the fore since his own move to Birmingham City collapsed in the summer window. James Forrest and Michel-Ange Balikwisha are also options while Jota has been a long-term absentee