Sunderland set to seal move for Birmingham midfielder Craig Gardner – report

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Sunderland are set to win the race for Birmingham City midfielder Craig Gardner, according to Sky Sports sources.

Gardner was part of the Birmingham side that suffered a final-day relegation to the Championship last season, and the Midlands side reluctantly accepted that the 24-year old would be allowed to leave.

Gardner started his career at Aston Villa before moving to his boyhood team and city rivals Birmingham, but just 18 months later he is set to move on as he looks to continue his career in the Premier League.

The midfielder was a shining light for the Blues last season – contributing 11 goals to a League Cup-winning but ultimately disappointing campaign.

Sunderland have reportedly agreed a fee of around £5 million as they look to reduce their wage bill in preparation for life in the Championship under new manager Chris Hughton.

Black Cats manager Steve Bruce will see the signing of Gardner as a real coup as they come to terms with the loss of star midfielder Jordan Henderson to Liverpool in a deal worth potentially £20m for the Wearside club.

Sunderland will be looking to build on their 10th-place finish last season and have already secured the free transfers of Irish goalkeeper Keiren Westwood from Coventry City, and Swedish winger Sebastian Larsson – also from Birmingham.