One current Sunderland star has snapped back at current links to a Premier League move this January.
With the January transfer window now open, it is expected that Sunderland could see themselves fighting a battle to keep ahold of their key players, especially after several showed their worth in the decisive victory against Sheffield United.
The likes of Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg are without a doubt going to be drumming up interest after their performances so far in the 2024/25 Championship campaign, with Premier League and European sides already sounding out the pair.
Another man linked with from the Stadium of Light with a Premier League move is Black Cats shot-stopper Anthony Patterson, who was on call to save Sheffield United striker and former Sunderland transfer target Kieffer Moore’s penalty, a moment that was clearly pivotal in hindsight.
After his Premier League worthy performance against the Blades, he was asked about his future at the club, to which his response was very straightforward.
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Sunderland star Anthony Patterson responds to questions over future on Wearside
Patterson put on a display on New Year’s Day that was deemed to be ‘sensational’ by Don Goodman, the type of performance that certainly will alert the top clubs in the country.
The Sunderland shot-stopper has previously been linked to moves to Man United and Tottenham Hotspur, which has led to Patterson being questioned about the rumours.
Per Sunderland Echo, Patterson said in response to if he was aware of any interest elsewhere in his services, he said: “No, like I always say, I’m a Sunderland player and I’m concentrating on this season and getting to Sunderland where they belong really.”
The 24-year-old goalkeeper has conceded just 20 goals in 21 games this season, tallying seven clean sheets along the way.
Anthony Patterson has priorities set straight, and one Black Cats man is to thank
This time last year, the club were not in the best of positions, both on-and-off the pitch.
With results plummeting under Michael Beale, the January transfer window, if the players had as much quality as they do this season, could have been catastrophic for Sunderland.
However, the decisive factor for what will hopefully see many Sunderland stars stay beyond January is Regis Le Bris, who has seemingly helped to convince his players that they are worthy of a promotion push in the latter stages of the 2024/25 Championship campaign, and getting that message across will certainly make a difference in regards to whether they stay or not.
In this instance, Patterson is clearly fully set on getting the Black Cats back to the top flight, and with Le Bris’ side being in a solid position to do so, there can’t be much more to persuade players to stay and keep battling on Wearside.