Sheffield United set to rival Liverpool and Wolves for Sunderland star | OneFootball

Sheffield United are plotting an ambitious move to sign Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.

The 24-year-old has been impressive since becoming the Black Cats' number one goalkeeper midway through the League One season in 2021/22.

Having only gone from strength to strength since then, Premier League clubs have been keeping tabs on the shot-stopper, with the likes of Liverpool and Wolves linked.

Sheffield United eyeing Anthony Patterson deal

It now appears those aforementioned clubs face a new rival in the race to land Patterson's signature.

That is according to Alan Nixon via Patreon, who reports that the Blades are willing to offer around £8 million to Sunderland for their number one this summer.

The Blades were recently relegated from the Premier League after a miserable return to the top-flight, and following their defeat at Everton on Saturday, have broken the record for goals conceded in the division, having let in 101 goals with one game to spare.

The previous record of 100 goals conceded had been held by Swindon Town, but took place when the Premier League had 42 matches per season and not 38.

As a result of the above, it is perhaps unsurprising that Chris Wilder is after a new goalkeeper ahead of the Blades' Championship return this summer.

Nixon claims that Ivo Grbic has failed to impress since joining the club in January, and with Wes Foderingham out of contract, it leaves the Blades eyeing a new number one.

One potential stumbling block to the deal, however, is that Nixon claims Sunderland were hoping for double what Sheffield United are willing to pay for Patterson this summer. They could yet sell, though, Nixon claims.

Liverpool and Wolves remain keen

Sheffield United will not have it their own way either, with Liverpool and Wolves remaining keen on Patterson according to Nixon.

Back in January, the Reds were linked with a move for Patterson as they seek a new number two goalkeeper at Anfield, with the club reportedly fearing that their current understudy to Allison, Caoimhin Kelleher, could leave the club this summer.

Wolves, meanwhile, are said to have Patterson on their wishlist as they look to replace Jose Sa.

How far down that list he is, though, remains to be seen, with Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale and Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher also being eyed by the Midlands-based side.

Anthony Patterson's contract situation at Sunderland

Any club wanting to sign Patterson this summer will have to come up with a transfer fee that Sunderland find satisfactory.

Indeed, the Black Cats are in a very strong position when it comes to the 24-year-old's future due to the length of his current contract with the club.

Last summer, for example, Patterson signed a new long-term deal at the Stadium of Light, one that could see him remain at the club until 2028.

Come the summer, Patterson will still have four years remaining on that deal, meaning clubs hoping for a cheap solution to their goalkeeping issues will likely have to look elsewhere, unless Sunderland are strapped for cash.

It will certainly be interesting to see how things develop with regard to Patterson's future in the coming weeks and months.