"I know Liverpool are very, very keen" - Pundit makes Sunderland transfer claim amid Man City link | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer tells FLW his verdict on the situation surrounding Anthony Patterson's Sunderland future

Carlton Palmer believes that Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson will cost in excess of £15 million amid interest from Manchester City.

According to HITC, the 24-year-old is seen as an option by the Premier League champions if Ederson departs the club this summer.

Ederson has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, raising uncertainty over his future at the Etihad.

However, it’s believed that Stefan Ortega would become the first-choice in Pep Guardiola’s side should the Brazilian be sold, meaning a move for Patterson would see him become the number two.

Ortega and Scott Carson are currently the only other options at Man City, meaning another goalkeeper will be needed if Ederson departs, with James Trafford also being linked with potentially taking up that vacant spot in the squad.

Palmer believes that Patterson is destined to play at the top level eventually, but expects him to remain at Sunderland due to being first-choice with the Championship side.

However, he has predicted that any sale involving the goalkeeper will cost in excess of £15 million.

“Speculation surrounds the future of Man City’s goalkeeper Ederson, talk of him maybe heading to play in Saudi Arabia,” Palmer told Football League World.

“Man City are looking at Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson.

“He’s been well coveted for a few seasons now by a lot of top clubs, he has been outstanding for Sunderland.

“Patterson, 24, played 44 Championship games last season, he kept 12 clean sheets, again impressing with his performances.

“In 2023, he managed 14 clean sheets in 46 outings, and he got eight in 20 in League One as he guided the club to promotion.

“However, his performances have not gone unnoticed by top clubs, he’s been coveted by Wolves and Southampton, he’s stood firm and not moved because he’s wanted to stay as the number one.

“There is no doubt, apparently Liverpool have been keeping an eye on him, there is no doubt with his performances, one day he’s going to play in the top flight.

“But he wants to keep being the number one, so unless Ederson is going to move on this summer, which remains to be seen, Pep Guardiola saying that he’s not going to move on this summer, we’ll have to wait and see.

“But I’m sure Anthony Patterson is not going to move and sit on the bench, he’s a number one at Sunderland.

“Sunderland have been very shrewd in their business, as we’ve seen.

“They bring a player in, like [Ian[ Poveda, and then we’ll see Jack Clarke go, I’m sure that’s going to happen.

“They’ve just signed Moore, and that could spell that they have got a deal on the table for Patterson to move on.

“I know Liverpool are very, very keen and now it’s clear that Man City are in for the player.

“Should Sunderland get the right offer for him I’m sure we’ll see him move on from the club, but it will be in excess of £15 million.”

Anthony Patterson's importance to Sunderland

Patterson broke into the Sunderland first team squad during the club’s promotion campaign, helping the Black Cats win the League One play-offs in 2022.

The goalkeeper was instrumental in their rise to a play-off position in their first year back in the Championship under Tony Mowbray in 2023.

But a disappointing second season at this level saw the team finish 16th in the table.

Régis Le Bris will now be hoping to guide the team back into promotion contention, having been appointed as head coach earlier this summer.

Patterson transfer interest shows his potential

That the likes of Liverpool and Man City have been mentioned as potential destinations for Patterson shows how bright his future is.

He has been a standout talent for Sunderland in the Championship, and at 24 still has room to develop even further.

There is no doubt that he will be competing in the Premier League sooner rather than later, but a sale this summer seems unlikely at the moment.