The battle to keep hold of their best players has begun for Sunderland, who have now received the first bids of the transfer window.
Jobe Bellingham has reportedly received multiple offers for his signature in the opening two weeks of the window, though Sunderland are adamant they won’t sell for less than £20 million.
The Black Cats are eager to see Jobe stay at the club and there is a strong belief that his price tag could sky rocket even further in the coming years, having only turned 18 last season.
Sunderland could also face interest for Dan Neil too, who has just rejected the club’s opening offer of a new contract.
The midfielder is expected to stay on Wearside, but it is unclear whether there is a fee that would urge the Black Cats to reconsider.
Anthony Patterson is another player being targeted by the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City, having picked up 13 clean sheets last season.
Anthony Patterson is replaceable
It has been reported recently that Sunderland would demand between £15 and £20m for the goalkeeper, who still has four years left on his contract.
While Kyril Louis-Dreyfus will be desperate to keep hold of his star players, journalist Michael Graham has admitted that Patterson is the one player who would be replaceable at the Stadium of Light.
Writing on X, he said: “Patterson is the one that, if a big offer came this summer, I’d take it. Quality goalkeeper, but easier to replace than the others. £20m to spend strengthening elsewhere would make a bigger difference to #SAFC than Patto would imo.”
£20m would be too much for Sunderland to turn down
Patterson was‘unbelievable’ at times last season, but he definitely made his fair share of mistakes too.
While he is only likely to improve, the shot-stopper probably wouldn’t be as missed as someone like Jordan Pickford was.
For £20m, Sunderland could sign a very solid goalkeeper and also strengthen elsewhere.
The Black Cats would look dramatically weaker without the likes of Neil or Clarke, but finding a replacement for Patterson would be much less of a challenge.
It would be a huge surprise if any club was willing to pay £20m for the 24-year-old though, with Arsenal paying an initial £24m for Aaron Ramsdale three years ago.