Birmingham City and Watford are obvious obstacles for Sunderland in Wigan transfer race: View | OneFootball

Although the EFL season still has plenty of matches remaining, transfer rumours ahead of the summer are already beginning to surface.

One club to have a player linked with a move away recently is Wigan Athletic, with Latics goalkeeper Sam Tickle having been touted for a potential Championship move ahead of the summer.

Sunderland linked with Wigan Athletic's Sam Tickle

Sunderland are the latest side to be linked with the England youth international, who is enjoying a breakthrough campaign at the DW Stadium.

According to Alan Nixon via Patreon, the Black Cats are 'checking in' on Tickle in case their number one goalkeeper Anthony Patterson moves on this summer.

Patterson has been touted with a move away from the Stadium of Light ahead of the summer, with Sunderland said to be fearing bids for their number one.

Nixon claims that Sunderland could demand £20 million for Patterson, which would allow them to sign 'bargain replacement' Tickle.

Sunderland may face Sam Tickle competition from Birmingham City

Unfortunately for Sunderland, though, there are multiple clubs in the Championship that are set to be looking for a new goalkeeper. In that sense, the Black Cats are likely to face multiple obstacles to land the talented 21-year-old.

Birmingham City are another team in the second tier that have also been linked with Tickle previously and will be looking to sign at least one new goalkeeper this summer.

The Blues' current number one John Ruddy is out of contract at the end of June, as is the club's current back-up goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

Ruddy has featured 39 times in the Championship this season, but has conceded a whopping 60 goals, whilst Etheridge was displaced as the club's number one back in the summer of 2022.

Watford may also have Sam Tickle on their transfer radar

Of course, there are other clubs in the Championship that will be on the lookout for a goalkeeper this summer that have not been linked to Tickle.

With the 21-year-old impressing, though, there is every chance these clubs could eventually rival Sunderland for his signature.

Watford are a club that springs to mind when assessing which second tier sides will likely be looking for a new shot-stopper when the transfer window arrives.

The Hornets have flip-flopped between number one keepers this campaign, with Daniel Bachmann and Ben Hamer having shared responsibilities as the club's number one in 2023/24.

Although Bachmann has a long-term contract, he is a player that has been linked with a move away from Vicarage Road time and time again in recent seasons, and having been displaced as the club's number one for the most part this campaign, other clubs could come calling.

Hamer, meanwhile, is out of contract in the summer, and having done well for the Hornets in-between the sticks, clubs elsewhere could view him as a potential number one.

All in all, clubs such as Birmingham City and Watford are obvious potential obstacles for Sunderland in their Sam Tickle chase this summer.

Although the Blues have been linked and the Hornets have not, both are potentially in the market for a shot-stopper this summer, and Tickle could well be an appealing option.

The 21-year-old is having a breakthrough campaign and is no doubt a player on the up, deserving of a shot in the Championship.

Of course, all of the above is excellent for Wigan, and will likely increase the fee they are set to receive. For Sunderland, however, it means their path to signing Tickle is not clear.

Furthermore, the Black Cats are only likely to act on their Tickle interest if Anthony Pattterson departs, which could linger on, or not happen at all.

In conclusion, then, there are many obstacles between Sunderland and Sam Tickle's signature this summer.