Sunderland ready to greenlight goalkeeper exit as Patterson claim made
Sunderland are investing heavily in high-potential young talents, and there are also some outstanding prospects in the academy.
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has overseen promotion to the top-flight with a young squad, and the transfer policy this summer has reinforced the team with more wonderkids.
Sunderland could yet target more players in a productive window, and they could recruit in the goalkeeping department.
Anthony Patterson has impressed in the first team, but a Premier League-ready upgrade may be targeted, and his long-term future could also be in doubt as one youngster could overtake him.
Sunderland want to loan Matty Young
Goalkeeper Matt Young is one of the brightest prospects in the academy, and the Black Cats are now deciding what to do with him this summer.
The 18-year-old has impressed in the youth teams, and Sunderland want to eventually give him a chance in the first team after spending last season on loan at Salford City.
It has now been reported by the Sunderland Echo (21 July) that Regis Le Bris wants to loan Young out, with the consensus on Wearside being that the shot-stopper needs to play regularly next season.
| Salford | Appearances | Clean sheets | Conceded |
| Matt Young | 27 | 9 | 35 |
A return to Salford could be on the cards, and there will be plenty of interest in how he progresses. It is also claimed that many at Sunderland believe that Young has the potential to surpass Patterson in terms of ability.
Young could feature in pre-season before a loan move materialises, and this could give Le Bris a chance to get a closer look at him, and fans may then discover what a huge talent they have on their hands.
Patterson’s Sunderland future in doubt
Although a homegrown talent and an impressive performer at times, Sunderland seem keen to sign a goalkeeper with Premier League experience, and were linked with Djordje Petrovic before his move to Bournemouth.
If a new goalkeeper is signed, Patterson would compete with him but would drop to the bench initially, and in the long-term, he will be eager to play.
If Young returns to the club and surpasses him eventually, there will be no room for Patterson at the Stadium of Light, but the Black Cats could then make a profitable sale on the 23-year-old.
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