Sunderland have been told that one of their key players is unlikely to make ‘strange’ move to a rival club.
A number ofSunderland‘s prized assets have already been linked with moves away, despite being a month away from the transfer window opening.
A disastrous 2023/24 season ended with the club finishing in 16th place, which could well push several players to make their own way to the Premier League.
The likes of Jack Clarke, Trai Hume, Dan Neil and Dan Ballard have all been linked with summer moves to the top flight, while Anthony Patterson could well be one of Liverpool’s first signings without Jurgen Klopp.
The goalkeeperattracted interest from the Reds in January, but has more recently been linked with Sheffield United.
Reports this week claimed that the Blades were preparing an £8 million bid for Patterson following their relegation back to the Championship.
Anthony Patterson to Bramall Lane just isn’t ‘happening’
However, pundit Carlton Palmer has now played down those rumours and believes it would be a very ‘strange’ move for the 24-year-old.
Speaking to Football League World, Palmer said: “This is a strange one for me.
“First and foremost, would Anthony Patterson leave Sunderland to go to Sheffield United? In my honest opinion, I don’t think so.
“With the clubs that have been interested in him, in terms of Premier League clubs, I don’t see him going to Sheffield United.
“There’s a lot of work to be done at Sheffield United for them to be looking to challenge at the top end of the Championship.
“Secondly, he’s going to cost about £8 million.
“He’s under contract for about four years, he signed a new four-year deal at the Stadium of Light, an extension, in September.
“So he’s going to cost about £8 million, I don’t see Sheffield United paying that type of money for a player next season in the Championship, I just don’t see it happening.”
Are Sheffield United a step up?
The spirits at Bramall Lane this season haven’t been particularly high, and from an outsider’s perspective, there is questions to be asked about how their future looks too.
The Blades have a number of players out of contract this season – those that have been pivotal in their previous success in both the Championship and the Premier League.
Chris Wilder also surely faces the sack for the second time, leaving plenty of uncertainty around what could happen next season.
Given Patterson’s links to the Premier League, a move to Sheffield does seem like one not really worth taking.
Depending on who Sunderland appoint as their head coach this summer, they will be hoping to compete with the Blades in the top half of the table.
Patterson is a boyhood mackem and it would be a surprise if he chose to move to Bramall Lane over staying at the Stadium of Light.
