Sunderland to accelerate goalkeeper search after Anthony Patterson update
Anthony Patterson has been absent from Sunderland’s pre-season.
Sunderland have made no secret of their desire to land a new goalkeeper signing this summer, having already missed out on several to other clubs.
Concerns have emerged over Patterson’s ability to transition to the Premier League, which has seen the signing of a new number one become a priority for the Black Cats.
Now, after Regis Le Bris provided an update on Patterson, it is clear that they will start to push forward with those plans.
Patterson could miss start of Premier League campaign
Several players have been forced to sit out of Sunderland’s pre-season, with Patterson one of those to be on the sidelines.
Simon Moore has featured regularly throughout that period, though it’s highly unlikely that will remain that way for the season.
| Anthony Patterson | Play-off final statistics (v Sheffield United) |
| Saves | 2 |
| Goals prevented | 0.71 |
| High claims | 1 |
Dmytro Riznyk is one of the latest names to be linked with a move to Sunderland, and those plans may now be accelerated by Le Bris’ latest comments.
Via the Northern Echo (25 July), he said: “For Patto and Riggy, it will take a bit longer. It will probably take more like ten days for them to be able to take part in full competition.
“By that stage, they should be back doing everything, so hopefully they will have a chance for the first game. It’s possible.”
While the Frenchman states that he is hopeful, the lack of certainty will be a concern for Sunderland.
Patterson could still be sold by Sunderland
While there will be question marks over Patterson’s future as Sunderland’s number one, there will also be some about his future in general.
His stock is high right now, and a season on the bench will only see that go down.
Sunderland may look to cash in on him if they can seal a replacement, knowing that any transfer fee would represent pure profit.
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