As a long-standing member of their squad nears a departure, Sunderland are set to replace him with experience ahead of the January transfer window slamming shut.
Few promoted clubs have hit the ground running as smoothly as Sunderland who, under Regis Le Bris’ management, already look like an established Premier League side.
Following heavy expenditure in the summer, the Wearside club have recruited just one player this winter, signing young winger Jocelin Ta Bi from Maccabi Netanya. The 20-year-old, though, is generally regarded as a signing for the future, rather than the now.
Much discussion surrounding Sunderland this winter has been about departures. Academy graduate Dan Neil is set to leave, having struggled for first-team minutes since helping his team return to the English top flight. Following Brian Brobbey’s emergence as a starter, there have also been discussions over striker Wilson Isidor’s future, as now, rumours circulate about yet another member of Sunderland’s squad.
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Patterson nears departure as Sunderland seek replacement
A key part of the Sunderland team that earned promotion, starting over 40 games across the 2024/25 season, Anthony Patterson, who has been dubbed “unbelievable” by Simon Moore, has scarcely had a chance in the first team since his side beat Sheffield United in the play-off final.
Robin Roefs, a summer addition, has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s most promising young shot-stoppers, which has come at a cost for Patterson. The Englishman’s last appearance for the Black Cats came in August, against Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup, and he is yet to make a Premier League appearance for the club.
Unsurprisingly, rumours over Patterson’s future have circulated, the 25-year-old having been touted for a return to the Championship.
Le Bris did not assert that the goalkeeper would remain at Sunderland beyond the window, which shuts on the 2nd February, saying as per The Chronicle:
“It’s tough to speak about individual players but the whole idea is still the same. For players who need minutes the conversation is still open and if we can find an agreement, positive for both sides, the club and them, we’ll move forward. At the minute nothing is official for any players but we’re working hard behind the scenes.”
Millwall, according to Keith Downie of Sky Sports, are discussing a loan move for Patterson. Not ones to waste time in the market, Sunderland have already been linked with a new back-up goalkeeper and are “in talks” with Borussia Moenchengladbach over 32-year-old Swiss international, Jonas Omlin.
An experienced number one and four-cap Switzerland international, Omlin has been rotated in and out of the first team at Gladbach since his arrival in 2023. This season though, Moritz Nicolas has cemented his place as a starter and Omlin is yet to play a match in the current campaign.
Any departure for Patterson seems dependent on Sunderland finding an agreement for a replacement. Omlin, should he arrive, would be yet another experienced body for the Black Cats. In turn, Patterson would be allowed to depart and receive consistent minutes ahead of the summer, in which Sunderland can reassess where they stand with one of their promotion winners.
