Sheffield United to step up transfer interest, but Sunderland in position of strength

SHEFFIELD United are set to step up their search for a new goalkeeper after Wes Foderingham’s exit from Bramall Lane was confirmed, Chris Wilder has identified Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson as a target as he looks to rebuild his Blades squad this summer .

United are preparing for life back in the Championship after a miserable Premier League campaign, with Wilder keen to build a young, new-look squad.

Signing a goalkeeper is a priority, with Ivo Grbic struggling to impress after joining from Atletico Madrid in January. Foderingham was expected to drop the gloves after Grbic’s arrival but earned his place in the side. However, he has already turned down the offer of a new contract in the first half of the season and the goalkeeper and the club have failed to agree on a new deal.

His imminent exit was confirmed on Thursday morning by the Blades, who will now step up their search for a replacement.

Patterson is said to be at the top of Wilder’s wish-list, but Sheffield United would have to pay a lot more than the £8million they are said to value the Sunderland goalkeeper at if they are to tempt Black Cats to do business.

Patterson is an established championship no. 1, a former England Under-21 international and Sunderland are in a position of transfer power with the goalkeeper’s current deal at the Stadium of Light until the summer of 2028.

Transfer interest in the 24-year-old is nothing new, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Celtic all said to have tracked the goalkeeper in the past.

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Patterson started 110 consecutive league games for Sunderland before being dropped for the final day’s defeat by Sheffield Wednesday and replaced by Nathan Bishop.

Explaining the decision, interim head coach Mike Dodds said: “Bishop deserved to play because of the way he carried himself and there was also an element of needing him to play so we could see if he could be number one for this football club somewhere down the line.

“I’m not saying Anthony Patterson is going to leave, but if he continues on the trajectory he’s on then I’m sure there will be huge interest in him.”

As well as Bishop, Sunderland have teenage keeper Matty Young on their books. Young returned to the Black Cats at the end of the season after a hugely impressive loan spell at Darlington, and Dodds has backed the 17-year-old to fight for the Sunderland gloves next season.

He said: “I know people might say the goalkeeping position is a bit different, but the ball is always in the player’s court. If he comes back and it’s unbelievable, then one thing this football club has shown is that under this model and this ownership, they’re going to give opportunities to young players and they’re not going to be scared of it.

“If he comes back and is better than the current number one, whether it’s Patto (Anthony Patterson) or whoever, then he’ll have an opportunity to play.”