"I'm told" - Insider reveals Southampton FC are eyeing Sunderland AFC transfer raid | OneFootball

Southampton are eyeing a deal involving Sunderland this summer ahead of their Championship return

Southampton are plotting a move to sign Anthony Patterson from Sunderland this summer.

According to Football Insider, the Saints are keen on bringing the goalkeeper to St. Mary’s as they prepare for life back in the Championship.

Patterson was a key figure for the Black Cats as they sealed promotion back to the Premier League last season.

He featured 42 times in the regular season last year, as well as in all three of their play-off games, keeping 14 clean sheets in total.

Southampton eye Anthony Patterson

Former Man United and Blackburn Rovers scout Mick Brown has claimed that Sunderland have doubts over whether Patterson is ready to compete in the Premier League.

He has named Southampton as a club with interest in completing a deal for the goalkeeper this summer.

“Patterson is a top young goalkeeper and he’s got a good reputation,” said Brown, via Football Insider.

“I personally still have some doubts about him, and it looks like Sunderland might share those.

“They’ve been looking to sign a new goalkeeper for the Premier League, probably because they want a bit more experience and stability.

“So that makes Patterson’s future uncertain because it’s his position they’re talking about.

“I’m told Southampton are one of the clubs looking at him because they expect Ramsdale to leave.

“He’s got a release clause in his contract and clubs have been looking at him.”

Patterson has a contract with Sunderland until the summer of 2028, which will give them strong leverage in any upcoming negotiations with the Saints.

Will Still will be keen to bolster his side for life in the Championship having been appointed as manager earlier this summer.

Patterson move will be determined by one major factor

Brown claimed that any decision over Patterson’s future will come down to his willingness to step back down to the Championship.

“Patterson obviously has that experience in the Championship and of gaining promotion, which is what Southampton will look to do this year,” he continued.

“So it makes a lot of sense for both of the clubs.

“It will come down to whether Patterson wants to step back down to the Championship or if he wants to stay and fight for his place at Sunderland.

“It’s a difficult decision to make because I’m sure he’d love to stay at Sunderland ideally, but he will get a feel for what the club are planning.”

Patterson has come through the ranks of Sunderland’s academy system, and cemented himself as their first-choice goalkeeper midway through the 2021/22 campaign, helping them gain promotion from League One and the Championship since then.

Southampton will get their league season underway on 9 August with a home clash against Wrexham.

Anthony Patterson could be a smart Aaron Ramsdale replacement

Aaron Ramsdale was first choice for Southampton last season, but it remains unclear whether he will be with the club beyond this summer after their relegation.

If he does depart, then Still will need someone to replace him in the squad and Patterson could be a very smart option.

If he can be convinced to take the step back down to the Championship, then this has the potential to be an ideal Ramsdale replacement.

He has promotion-winning experience and has proven himself at this level as a consistent performer, and the goalkeeper is still relatively young at 25, so has room to keep improving his game.