Sunderland could be in need of a few replacement players this summer.
Not only do Sunderland have Jack Clarke attracting interest from the Premier League, but the Black Cats have several others too.
Pierre Ekwah and Dan Neil have both caught the eye this season, whilst Trai Hume is now a target for Aston Villa and several others.
Anthony Patterson though looks like another one who could leave.
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey has tipped Patterson to leave Sunderland this summer and the Black Cats could command a fee of up to £20million, according to reports.
Wigan Athletic shot-stopper Sam Tickle has been linked as a potential replacement, though he may lack the required experience to play in the Championship.
Sunderland manager latest
There’s been a fairly big development on the Sunderland manager front this week.
It’s been revealed that former Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom is top of Sunderland’s list ahead of the summer.
Heckingbottom appears to have leapfrogged names like Will Still and Danny Rohl in the race for the Stadium of Light hotseat, following his exit from Sheffield United earlier this season.
It’s also said that Heckingbottom would be open to potentially taking the Sunderland job this summer.
Paul Heckingbottom must sign Sheffield United ally this summer
There’s one thing that Sunderland desperately need to bring in this summer; experienced players.
And thankfully, should Sunderland hire Heckingbottom, there’s plenty of experienced players out of contract at Sheffield United this summer.
The Blades look set for a summer reset after some up and down years and several players could leave.
It’ll surely alert clubs in the Championship and maybe even in the Premier League, and no doubt Heckingbottom should he take a new job in the pre-season.
For Sunderland, one player could perhaps catch their eye more than others; goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.
The 33-year-old, described as an ‘unbelievable’ player by Heckingbottom himself, has been one of the few saving graces for the Blades this season; Sofascore have the ex-Rangers man as the player with the third-highest average rating this season.
More impressively, Foderingham has the joint third-most saves in the Premier League this season.
Foderingham then, who played 40 times in the Championship last season and conceded just 32 goals with 18 clean sheets as the Blades won promotion, certainly has the pedigree.
He’s shown in the top two flights that he’s a solid goalkeeper and he’s certainly someone who Heckingbottom trusts.
Not only that, but the Englishman is a very experienced player too, with 450 career appearances to his name.
If Sheffield United do release Foderingham, and Sunderland bring in Heckingbottom, then Foderingham to Wearside could be a very shrewd deal.
The main factor behind this though is whether or not Patterson leaves, which for the time being, remains to be seen.