HAVING confirmed the retention of Luke O’Nien earlier today, Sunderland are increasingly confident of beating off competition from the Championship to sign midfielder Alex Pritchard.

However, Charlie Wyke has said his final goodbyes to the Black Cats and is set to sign a £10,000-a-week deal with their League One rivals Wigan Athletic.

The capture of Pritchard would be a considerable coup, with the former £11m-rated playmaker available as a free agent following his release from Huddersfield Town.

Having spent two years with Norwich City after rising through the youth ranks at Tottenham, Pritchard’s career looked to be on a rapid rise when he joined Huddersfield for a reported £11m in 2018.

However, things did not go to plan at the John Smith’s Stadium, with the 28-year-old failing to successfully establish himself with the Championship side.

In total, he made 80 senior appearances for the Terriers, but he struggled to hold down a first-team spot last season and was released at the end of the campaign.

He is understood to have held discussions with Derby County and Birmingham City, but Sunderland officials have also held positive talks and are optimistic of being able to persuade Pritchard that a move to the Stadium of Light is the ideal way to get his career back on track.

A final decision is anticipated before the weekend, with Lee Johnson having stepped up his recruitment drive considerably in the last few days.

O’Nien followed Aiden McGeady’s lead in re-signing today, with the versatile defender-cum-midfielder having agreed a new three-year deal.

Like Pritchard, O’Nien held talks with a number of clubs in the Championship after his previous deal on Wearside expired at the end of last season. Middlesbrough were reported to have an interest, but the 26-year-old has decided to extend his stay on Wearside in the hope of winning promotion next season.

“I’m delighted to sign a new contract with Sunderland,” said O’Nien. “I’d like to thank Lee Johnson and Kristjaan Speakman, and the owner and the staff, for putting their trust in me and enabling me to continue to play for this great club.

“Hearing their plans for the club and how they want to develop me personally was incredibly exciting and I can’t wait to get going again.”

Johnson had also hoped to retain Wyke, but despite Sunderland holding a series of talks with the striker, last season’s leading goalscorer has opted to move elsewhere.

Celtic were leading the race for his services for most of the summer, but Wigan are understood to have tabled an unexpectedly lucrative offer in the last few days.

Wyke is set to agree a deal worth around £10,000-a-week at the DW Stadium, a sum that represents a significant upgrade on what Sunderland were willing to offer.