Sunderland may have Anthony Patterson replacement right under their nose: View | OneFootball

Sunderland could already have a replacement set for Anthony Patterson's impending exit from the club.

The 23-year-old keeper has excelled for the Black Cats over the past three seasons, cementing himself as the club's number one goalkeeper, despite his relatively young age.

The England under-21 international has impressed this season for the Black Cats. He has played 45 league matches, playing every minute of the current campaign.

This includes 13 clean sheets, which has drawn interest from Liverpool over potentially signing the 23-year-old. Celtic and Arsenal have also joined the race for his signature, meaning that Patterson's days at Sunderland could be numbered.

While losing one of the best young keepers in England would be a huge loss for Sunderland, they may have a replacement for Patterson right under their noses.

Matty Young would be a good replacement for Patterson

Sunderland's Matty Young could prove to be the ideal replacement for Patterson at the Stadium of Light.

The 17-year-old has impressed on loan at Darlington this season, starting 14 matches despite his age in the National League North.

He joined Darlington on loan in February, and was immediately positioned as the number one keeper at the club. While it was initially just a one-month emergency loan, his impressive performances saw the club extend his stay until the end of the season.

Young has kept five clean sheets during this spell, and conceded just 13 times despite still being a teenager. Darlington have lost just twice with him in the side, with their form steering them away from a relegation battle in the second half of the season.

With both Manchester United and Manchester City showing interest in the youngster last year, it is clearly Sunderland have a talent on their hands.

He has shown that he can excel in senior football by nailing down a place at Darlington. Sunderland even handed him his debut in pre-season, although he still has a lot to prove before he is considered a Championship-level keeper.

He could follow in the footsteps of Patterson and Pickford

If he does get given the chance in the first team, Young could follow in the footsteps of the two young keepers who came before him.

Jordan Pickford was given the chance to star at Sunderland at a young age, and impressed despite the club being relegated while he was the number one.

His performances that season earned Pickford a £30 million move to Everton, the club where he still plays today.

At just 23-years-old, he was signed as a future star by the Toffees, and has gone on to make over 250 Premier League appearances for the Merseyside club.

Patterson has been rumoured also to be making a move to Merseyside, although to the red half of the city.

If that deal does got through, it will give Young a chance to nail down his spot in the Sunderland side, and give him hope of a big move to a Premier League club in the future.

While at the age of 17, he may be too young to command a starting spot at the Stadium of Light, the exit of Patterson would provide Young with a pathway towards the first team.

With a year or two more experience at a higher level, he could be ready to start in the Championship, and would be a good replacement for Patterson if he can kick on and keep on improving in goal.