Sunderland failing in Birmingham City transfer pursuit offers bittersweet feelings: View | OneFootball

Although Sunderland missed out on their summer target, their young stars have flourished this season.

Sunderland were linked with a summer move for Birmingham City midfielder Paik Seung ho, as per Football Insider. Well-placed sources told the outlet that the Wearsiders were very keen on signing the midfielder.

The Black Cats had a long-standing interest in the South Korean international and held talks with the midfielder prior to his move to Birmingham City.

While the 27-year-old would have been a quality signing, his move could have stunted the growth of Sunderland's young stars.

Paik Seung-ho would have added quality to Sunderland's midfield

Sunderland were keen to bolster their midfield over the summer and added the experienced Alan Browne to their ranks early on in the transfer window.

Another name on the Black Cats' radar was Paik, with sources telling Football Insider that the club were plotting a move for the player.

However, a transfer for the 27-year-old never materialised, and the South Korean remained at Birmingham City, where he has continued to excel at a lower level.

The Blues signed Paik for an undisclosed fee in January from South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, and the central midfielder has been a revelation since the move.

The South Korean impressed for Birmingham in the Championship last season despite the club suffering relegation to League One. Inevitably, interest in Paik was strong, but the Blues' financial position meant they could hold on to the midfielder.

Paik has delivered exceptional performances for Chris Davies' men in League One and has shown he is a cut above English football's third tier.

The 27-year-old belongs at a higher stage and if he had signed for Sunderland in the summer, then he would likely have had a significant impact at the Stadium of Light.

Having signed a new contract at St. Andrew's, Paik will be hoping to drive Birmingham back to the Championship and enhance his reputation on a higher stage.

Paik signing could have stunted growth of Sunderland's young stars

While the signing of Paik would have been a strong one, his arrival on Wearside could have been detrimental to Sunderland's budding midfield.

The South Korean would have expected to start at the Stadium of Light, meaning he would have been competing for a place alongside the likes of Dan Neil, Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham.

Considering the 27-year-old plays primarily as a holding midfielder, Rigg would likely have been the one to have had his minutes limited by his arrival.

While Rigg did not start the season as Regis Le Bris' first choice in the hub of Sunderland's midfield, he has emerged as a key presence in the side.

The 17-year-old's exposure to the first team has reaped rewards for the club, with the teenager scoring two key goals in the Wearsiders' opening nine games.

Not only has Rigg contributed in front of goal, but he has put in some emphatic performances for the Black Cats. His performances have been so strong that Browne has had to settle for a place on the bench in recent weeks.

Along with Rigg, Bellingham has continued to flourish in red and white and has justified the plaudits that have come his way so far this season.