Sunderland may face competition in the January transfer window to retain another key player.
Sunderland’s first season back in the Championship has drawn a lot of attention to their key players, with Jack Clarke being one of several Premier League clubs interested in him.
The forward has 22 goals and 14 assists in 74 games in the second division and is supposedly being pursued by Burnley, Crystal Palace, and Brentford.
Dan Neil’s strong performances have also drawn attention, and Pierre Ekwah has been linked with a move elsewhere.
The Black Cats may now face competition to maintain hold of Anthony Patterson, with journalist Alan Nixon reporting that Liverpool are interested in the goalkeeper.
“Liverpool are making Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson a target as new cover at the Kop,” Nixon claimed on his Patreon.
“The Anfield men fear long-term number two Caoimhin Kelleher will leave and have identified Patterson to be his successor.”
While Nixon admits that a summer move is more plausible, he adds, “If he goes in this window, there will be a scramble for Patterson.”
“Patterson may be willing to step into the shadows at Liverpool but rivals could also come for him if a deal gets close.”
Anthony Patterson has made several crucial stops in the Championship and has earned praise for his seven clean sheets thus far.
The 23-year-old was called up to the England U21 squad in June and three months later signed a new long-term contract with his boyhood club.
Patterson said he was ‘delighted’ and that playing for Sunderland was a ‘absolute dream’ after making his senior debut three years ago.
Following his contract extension, the shot-stopper is now Patterson’s third highest-earner, earning £10,000 per week – less than just Jack Clarke, Bradley Dack, and Dan Ballard.
Should Anthony Patterson be transferred to the Premier League?
Anthony Patterson will undoubtedly play in the Premier League one day, following in the footsteps of former Sunderland hero Jordan Pickford.
The goalkeeper still has a lot to learn, and he’s showed some evident struggles with playing out from the back this season, which would almost probably be needed of him if he joined Liverpool.
Anfield would be an excellent environment for Patterson to grow, but he would be well aware that he would have no chance of breaking into their starting lineup anytime soon.
Patterson clearly enjoys playing for his hometown club, and he would be willing to take a lot of chances, even moving away from home, to play in a few Cup games behind the finest goalkeeper in the world, Alisson.
