Wolves sent clear Sunderland AFC transfer demand - £8m star 'has what it takes' for promotion race | OneFootball

FLW’s Wolves expert backs bringing Patterson to Molineux next season

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ summer rebuild is beginning to take shape, and few areas of the squad appear more in need of attention than between the posts.

Following relegation from the Premier League, Wolves face a significant reset under Rob Edwards as they attempt to construct a squad capable of challenging for an immediate return.

Goalkeeper is one position that could see major turnover, with both Jose Sa and Sam Johnstone linked with exits, potentially leaving Dan Bentley as the only senior option currently in place.

That makes Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson an increasingly intriguing target.

According to reports from Sky Sports, Wolves are among a growing list of Championship clubs interested in the 26-year-old, alongside Millwall and Wrexham, with Sunderland prepared to listen to offers in the region of £8 million after Patterson slipped to third choice at the Stadium of Light.

Anthony Patterson fits Wolves’ need for proven Championship quality

With uncertainty surrounding the goalkeeping department, Football League World asked in-house Wolves fan pundit Thomas Woodhall if he’d take Patterson at Molineux.

“With Sa and Johnston likely out the door and only left with Bentley - who makes for a good homegrown option,” Woodhall told FLW.

“I think Patterson's a good level Championship goalkeeper, maybe even mid to lower Premier League,

“And for £8 million, I don't think anyone would snuff their nose up at it,

“It's not like a glamorous signing, but definitely one that I think would do us a good solid,

“And I really think he's got what it takes to get us promoted up to the Premier League.”

Anthony Patterson may represent exactly the type of signing Wolves need

For a player who played a major role in Sunderland’s rise from League One to the Premier League, Patterson’s situation feels unusual.

He amassed more than 150 appearances for the Black Cats, won promotion twice and established himself as one of the Championship’s more dependable goalkeepers before being overtaken by Robin Roefs in the Premier League.

His loan spell at Millwall during the second half of last season only strengthened his reputation. Seven clean sheets in 16 appearances helped drive Alex Neil’s side into the play-offs and reminded clubs across the division of the level Patterson can operate at when trusted with regular football.

With Wolves expected to compete near the top of the Championship next season, recruitment will inevitably focus on players with promotion pedigree. Patterson certainly fits that description.

There is an argument that £8 million feels substantial for a goalkeeper in the Championship, particularly one who is no longer first choice at his parent club.

Wolves, however, are entering a division where experience and familiarity with promotion races often prove more valuable than upside alone.

Patterson has already experienced multiple campaigns at the sharp end of the Championship and, at 26, still sits comfortably within the age profile clubs usually target for long-term solutions in goal.

Just as importantly, this would not be a speculative purchase. Patterson’s body of work across Sunderland’s promotions, combined with his strong Millwall loan spell, offers a large sample size of consistent Championship performance.

The challenge for Wolves may not be whether Patterson is good enough, but whether they can move quickly enough.

Millwall can offer familiarity and a settled environment after his successful loan spell, while Wrexham’s financial power and ambition continue to make them a serious factor in almost every upper-end Championship conversation.

For Wolves, though, if a goalkeeping reset is coming, Patterson increasingly looks like one of the more logical names on the market.