Sunderland could be set to face another tricky challenge as a Premier League club prepare to bid for their player.
Sunderland have received plenty of positive news this summer, with Chris Rigg putting pen to paper on a new contract before it was reported that Jobe Bellingham wants to stay on Wearside.
However, the interest in their squad doesn’t stop there, with the likes of Dan Neil, Jack Clarke and Anthony Patterson on the radar of top flight clubs.
The latter had attracted interest from Liverpool and Man City, before Sheffield United considered launching a £8m bid for his signature.
The Black Cats are yet to receive an offer for the goalkeeper, but it now looks like Wolves could be about to lodge a bid.
Wolves readying bid for Sunderland gem
According to GIVEMESPORT, Wolves are considering a move for Patterson to replace Daniel Bentley, who has been linked with Arsenal.
Gary O’Neill is eager to bolster the position in between the sticks, with current third-choice Tom King yet to make an appearance for the Midlands outfit, despite approaching his 30th birthday next season.
Wolves have been scouting Patterson over the course of the 2022/23 campaign as he picked up 13 clean sheets in 46 matches, and now consider him a good alternative option to first-choice Jose Sa.
The Sunderland academy graduate only signed a new long-term contract in September though and is seen as ‘one of the best’ in the Championship, so it comes as no surprise that they could demand up to £20m for his signature.
With four years remaining on his current deal, the Black Cats are under no pressure to sell the shot-stopper.
Anthony Patterson could follow in Jobe and Rigg’s footsteps
Like Rigg and Jobe, it seems unlikely that Patterson would push for a move to the Premier League if he wasn’t guaranteed regular game-time.
The 24-year-old is comfortably Sunderland’s first choice, but would face stiff competition for the number one spot if he was up against Sa.
However, the Portugal international only managed four clean sheets last season and is approaching his 32nd birthday in January, so Patterson may feel like taking his spot wouldn’t be too difficult.
The likelihood of Wolves coughing up £20m seems pretty low though, having spent only £6.85m on Sa three years ago.