"Might put him off" - Pundit warns Sunderland star over Arsenal transfer | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer urges Sunderland's Anthony Patterson to consider a key component of his career following reported interest from Premier League title challengers, Arsenal and Liverpool.

The 23-year-old has been the number one choice between the sticks at the Stadium of Light, since returning from a loan spell with Notts County in early 2022.

Even though the rest of his team haven't been performing up to their usual standards this season, other than Jack Clarke and a couple of others, Patterson has kept his levels high in the midst of Sunderland's gradual slip down the Championship table.

To be playing the way that he is, at his age, is always going to catch the eye of bigger clubs who are snooping around for the next top talents. This is Anfield have said that, as Liverpool prepare for summer interest in Caoimhin Kelleher, they are considering a move for the Sunderland shot-stopper.

The Liverpool-focused outlet added that the second tier side could be willing to accept an offer of £10-15 million for their academy product.

Meanwhile, Arsenal were said to have sent scouts to watch Patterson. Their former number one Aaron Ramsdale could depart the Emirates in the summer, with Newcastle United being mentioned as a potential suitor by Simon Jones of the Daily Mail.

A switch to one of these top Premier League sides would be a big jump for the 23-year-old, and Palmer, a former England international, has offered his view on the situation.

Carlton Palmer verdict on Anthony Patterson's links to a Premier League move

The pundit has told Football League World that the Sunderland glovesman needs to consider the situation that Ramsdale now finds himself in before making the choice to move to one of these big clubs.

"Arsenal are the latest club to be watching the talented Anthony Patterson, who has had a tremendous season at Sunderland," said Palmer. "A host of clubs have been interested in him over the last couple of seasons.

"Liverpool are said to be keen on him, but Arsenal now find themselves in a situation in the summer where Ramsdale will want to get out of there if he doesn't make the England squad for the Euros, or if he goes and doesn't play.

"They've made it clear that David Raya is his number one, although he said that he was going to rotate the goalkeepers. So Arsenal are looking for a backup keeper, with the impending departure of Ramsdale in the summer.

"Patterson is certainly attracting a lot of attention, but what's happened with Ramsdale might well put him off from joining Arsenal. He's the first choice at Sunderland, so, as I've always said, why would you leave a club where you're playing regularly to go and sit on the bench? "With Liverpool, they have their number one keeper [Alisson]. I think he has more of a chance of taking over as the number one there.

"He's certainly worth the reported £15 million. I know Leicester City are keen on taking him, but, if he moves from Sunderland, he will want to play regular first team football."

There's no need for Anthony Patterson to rush into a big move

The trajectory of the 23-year-old's career means that he will likely end up as a Premier League keeper at some point in his career, whether it is with Sunderland or not.

But, especially this season, we have seen a case where a young goalkeeper, who looked very promising in the EFL, made the jump to the top flight and hasn't flourished. That man is James Trafford.

He has gone to Burnley, as one of their many, young, marquee signings, having been a standout player at Bolton Wanderers last season, in League One, but he's not been able to be at his best in a poor Clarets side.

Patterson would be in a different situation if he were to join Liverpool or Arsenal, because he wouldn't be walking into a starting position, but the same effect of having your career hit a sudden halt could happen.

He has plenty of years ahead of him, and he doesn't need to push all of his chips to the middle of the table so early in his career, because it could backfire.