Sunderland eye new Anthony Patterson replacement as loan terms agreed elsewhere
After Sunderland secured the signing of Jocelin Ta Bi, the transfer business at the Stadium of Light does not look to be ending.
Sunderland and Regis Le Bris will be hoping to add more names to the Frenchman’s squad over the coming days, as well as sell some of the fringe players to make up space.
Dan Neil is one player who could leave Sunderland, ending a 16-year stay at the club, as he has found his game time limited.
Luke O’Nien has been full of praise for Neil lately, despite his irregular appearances for the Black Cats this season.
Neil made his debut for Sunderland back in 2018, with Anthony Patterson coming through the Mackems academy at the same time.
Patterson is another who looks set to be sold by Sunderland over the next few days.
However, the current plans for Patterson may have some twists and turns after the latest news on his potential replacement.
Sunderland target Jonas Omlin set to join Bayer Leverkusen
Sunderland will have to move onto plan B when it comes to signing a new goalkeeper to deputise behind Robin Roefs, as one of their main targets has moved elsewhere.
The Black Cats had been eyeing Jonas Omlin as a player to come in and play back-up goalkeeper to Roefs, but those plans will now have to be shelved.
According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, the Swiss goalkeeper’s move to Bayer Leverkusen is a “done deal”.
Injury to Mark Flekken has meant the German side have come in quickly to swoop up the 32-year-old’s signature.
Even if the Premier League side were to try to hijack that move, the prospect of guaranteed minutes during Flekken’s injury would likely be too big an opportunity to turn down compared to a back-up role at the Stadium of Light.
At present, there have been no other names floated as potential signings to replace Patterson, but that will likely change over the coming days.
Who is Anthony Patterson joining?
According to the Sun, backup goalkeeper Patterson looks set to join Championship side Millwall in the coming days.
This would leave the Black Cats in desperate need of another shot-stopper, with 35-year-old Simon Moore the only other senior goalkeeper at the club.
With just a few days left of the window, and target Omlin moving elsewhere, it is not ideal circumstances for the club.
Although the 25-year-old has played just one game for the club this season, Patterson has still played a large role for Sunderland.
With that in mind, it would seem smart for Sunderland to block Patterson’s exit until a new target is identified and secured.
Leaving themselves short in such an important area of the squad could backfire. An injury or suspension to Roefs could hamper their ambitions this season if there is not a sufficient back-up.
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