Sunderland are poised to sell goalkeeper Anthony Patterson this summer, with Wrexham among the clubs reportedly interested in the 26-year-old. However, a Wrexham fan pundit has cast doubt on the move, claiming Patterson is not a clear upgrade on current number one Arthur Okonkwo.
Sunderland Demand £8m-£10m for Academy Graduate
As reported by Chronicle Live earlier this month, the Black Cats will demand a fee in the region of £8 million to £10 million for the academy graduate. Patterson spent last season on loan at Millwall, where the Lions are keen to sign him permanently. Recently relegated Wolves, promotion hopefuls Wrexham, and Scottish giants Rangers are also monitoring the situation.
Patterson has two years left on his Sunderland contract, but January signing Melker Ellborg is viewed as the club's No. 2, while Robin Roefs is undoubtedly the first-choice keeper.
Wrexham Fan Pundit Questions Move
Football League World's Wrexham fan pundit Liam Grice expressed his reservations about a potential move for Patterson if Okonkwo leaves. "I'm personally not a fan," Grice told Football League World. "I know Okonkwo has his faults, but at the end of the day, he's a very solid Championship keeper, in my opinion."
Grice acknowledged Okonkwo's weaknesses, saying: "Yeah, okay, maybe his distribution could be better, he has a mistake in him every now and again, but I don't think Patterson is a clear upgrade."
He added: "I don't think a loan move would be terrible, but a goalkeeper is one of the spots you want to own the player in. You can build your defence around the goalkeeper, and I think there are better options we could get for cheaper than Patterson, and I don't think necessarily he's a massive upgrade on Okonkwo."
Patterson's Premier League Readiness Questioned
Grice also questioned why Sunderland have not trusted Patterson in the Premier League. "I know he's played at the level before, and he'd performed well at the level before, but there's a reason Sunderland haven't taken a chance on him in the Premier League, and it's probably because he's not ready to make that step up."
He concluded: "And if we're serious about trying to make that step up then I don't see why we'd go for a player who one of the promoted clubs deemed wasn't good enough in the first place. I'm not saying Okonkwo is definitely good enough to make the step up, but I think he knows the culture of the club, and knows the players, and is a big influence in the dressing room, so he's got that going for him. Patterson would have to come in and establish himself, so I'm just not sure it's the right move at the right time for Okonkwo and Patterson, to be honest."
