Sunderland may have already identified their perfect replacement for wanted goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.
Patterson is a man in demand with Sheffield United now taking a keen interest in the Sunderland academy graduate.
It’s been reported that the Blades, who will be playing in the Championship next season, have made 23-year-old Patterson their first choice goalkeeper target for the summer.
Sheffield United now seem poised to table an offer worth a reported £8million, which Sunderland and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman will hopefully put to good use.
And if Patterson leaves then Sunderland will surely need a new no.1 with Nathan Bishop the inexperienced no.2 as things stand.
There’s also Alex Bass, and he’s enjoyed a good season on loan with AFC Wimbledon keeping 16 clean sheets in 44 League Two outings.
But Sunderland and Speakman may have already identified their perfect Patterson replacement ahead of the summer.
Sunderland want Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle
Earlier in the 2023/24 season, Sunderland were linked with a summer move for Wigan Athletic’s impressive young goalkeeper Sam Tickle.
The England U21 man kept 15 clean sheets in 46 League One outings for Wigan during the 2023/24 campaign, averaging exactly 3 saves per game; during Sunderland’s promotion-winning season from League One, Patterson averaged exactly 2 saves per game.
He’s earned huge praise from Wigan fans this season, with @lisa__love_ describing the 22-year-old as a ‘future England goalkeeper’ and @jammsterz say Tickle is ‘one of the best keepers I’ve seen’.
Sunderland fans can catch a glimpse of what Tickle has to offer in the X thread below. But there may be reason for Speakman and Sunderland to make a move for Tickle very soon.
Sunderland and Kristjaan Speakman must sign Sam Tickle now
Every summer there seems to be a number of teams looking for new goalkeepers; Sheffield United are of course one, and Sunderland could well become another.
And Tickle, being an impressive England youngster, could be one of the first names on a number of clubs’ wishlists this summer.
Birmingham City are another team interested. They’ve also been linked with Tickle and after suffering relegation from the Championship, Blues and their wealthy owner Tom Wagner will surely be looking to spend big this summer, in a bid to secure their immediate return to the second tier.
Sunderland then, if they want Tickle should strike soon. But it may depend on Patterson’s potential sale and Sunderland gaining the money from said sale.
Tickle though very much suits Sunderland’s mantra; he’s young and making waves with his current club, and the fact that he’ experienced in the Football League, albeit not in the Championship, is another plus.
If Sunderland can put up enough money to bring in Tickle then he would surely be a suitable replacement for Patterson, if not an upgrade in the long run.
And he’ll surely become a player whose transfer value will only increase over time.