According to reports Sunderland is set to sign Tom Flanagan this summer. The central defender is a target for Birmingham City. City were hoping to lure the Black Cats star when the transfer window opens but it now seems the League One star would extend his deal.

Flanagan’s deal ended in June, with clubs on standby to land him on a free deal. However, coach Phil Parkinson is confident a deal will soon be struck. The player has racked up 64 appearances at Mackems since he joined in 2018 on a free transfer from Burton Albion. The well-traveled star came from the MK Dons setup, going on a lot of loan spells that include Gillingham, Barnet, Stevenage and Plymouth before he was released then he joined Burton for free.

Per Parkinson’s comments a deal is in place. The club is negotiating with another player but will soon get Flanno’s deal over the line. He has always wanted to remain at the club especially if the terms were right. Parkinson says he is reasonable so they should finalize the deal in weeks. His young family likes the city and are settled, uprooting his life when he has peaked career-wise seems a challenge he is not ready to take.

The Blues had prayed to use Flanno to boost their centre half options. Now they would have to consider other players, hoping to get the best deal. Jake Clarke-Salter is leaving this summer, but Harlee Dean and Marc Roberts have been secured.

The club has a lot of roles to fill, including head coach. The dream of landing Chris Hughton is proving hard to achieve with Pep Clotet set to leave. Hughton seems to prefer a Premier League side rather a return to the second tier. Since his Brighton exit last year, the 61-year old has been on a break and is likely going to return only when he receives an interesting offer.