"Sideways move" - Sheffield United set to make £8m Sunderland transfer bid | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Sheffield United have joined multiple Premier League clubs in the transfer battle for Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, as reported by Alan Nixon via Patreon.

Sheffield United join the race for Anthony Patterson

Patterson is very much a wanted man heading into this summer, as Liverpool were linked with the goalkeeper in January and are reportedly still interested in the shot-stopper.

A further report in April suggested that the Reds are still keen on the Englishman as a backup for Alisson, with the future of Caiomhin Kelleher up in the air, whilst Arsenal are another club that have been keeping tabs as Aaron Ramsdale's future is under question.

Meanwhile, Wolves have also been credited with an interest in the player in recent weeks, as they eye a potential replacement for Jose Sa, who is another stopper who could be on the move this summer.

But they are not the only team interested, as, according to Alan Nixon, Sheffield United have now joined the race, and they are a club that could offer first-team football as opposed to the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.

The report states that the Blades are willing to offer around £8 million to Sunderland in a bid to win the signature of Patterson ahead of multiple Premier League clubs.

Sheffield United have been poor in defence all season, so it is no surprise to see that Chris Wilder is keen to strengthen in the goalkeeping department.

However, the Blades could face a stumbling block when it comes to a deal for Patterson, as Nixon claims that the Black Cats were looking for double the figure that they are planning to bid, but they could still sell the goalkeeper this summer.

Would Anthony Patterson be a good fit for Sheffield United? Realistic move?

As we wait to see how this news pans out, here we have asked some of the writers at Football League World for their thoughts on Sheffield United joining the race for Anthony Patterson and if it would be a good move for the player.

Here is what they said…

Brett Worthington

Sheffield United’s 2023/24 season has seen them labelled as one of the poorest performing sides in the Premier League.

The club’s recent 1-0 defeat to Everton saw them break an unwanted record, as they conceded their 101st goal in the Premier League, the most in a single season.

So, given how bad they have been in defence, it is no surprise to see that Chris Wilder is keen to strengthen his backline, starting with the goalkeeper.

The Blades have an issue in the goalkeeping department this summer, as Ivo Grbic hasn’t really impressed since joining the club in January - he’s conceded 25 goals in nine league games and hasn't been an assuring figure between the sticks despite his experience.

Wes Foderingham has been United’s regular number one for the majority of the season, but he has also had his problems, and he could potentially be leaving the club this summer, given that his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

Patterson looks to be Sheffield United’s preferred target ahead of Viktor Johansson, but while their potential offer of £8 million may be a problem, they also have an issue as the goalkeeper may not want to join the Yorkshire side.

The Blades are back in the second tier next season, so if Patterson were to join them, it wouldn’t be much of an upgrade from Sunderland to Sheffield United; if anything, he may be better off staying at the Stadium of Light, given how well he has done there.

Sheffield United may think they can sign the goalkeeper for an amount which surely is going to be lower than what Sunderland want, but their biggest problem is likely to be Premier League opposition.

Patterson would surely join Liverpool, Arsenal or Wolves if their interest is concrete, even if he wouldn't get regular first-team football at the first two, so it just seems unlikely that Patterson would move from one Championship team to another this summer.

Ben Wignall

No matter which way you dress it up, Patterson going from Sunderland to Sheffield United - given the other clubs recently linked to his services - would be a sideways move.

The disappointment of Ivo Grbic since his arrival at Bramall Lane from Atletico Madrid will seemingly see Chris Wilder launch himself head-first into the goalkeeping market, and Patterson is perhaps the one in the Championship for next year with the highest ceiling - he still has facets of his game he could improve on but he is very talented.

It would be going from one Championship club to another though, irrespective of the fact that Sheffield United will be more likely to get promoted to the Premier League than the Black Cats, so the 24-year-old would be wiser to hold out for a Premier League move if anything.

Of course, Sunderland are in control of his future as he has a contract signed until 2028, so it will likely take an eight-figure bid for Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to even consider cashing in on one of his prized assets - £8 million won't be enough.

Whilst it's good that Sheffield United are aiming to be ambitious ahead of their Championship return, Patterson may just prove to be a little bit out of reach.