Millwall facing potential stumbling block over pursuit of Sunderland AFC promotion-winner | OneFootball

The Lions are hunting a new goalkeeper, but there's a potential issue with their attempt to recruit one from Premier League Sunderland.

Millwall are looking to strengthen with the signing of goalkeeper Anthony Patterson from Sunderland, but they may have faced a hurdle that they need to overcome to get a deal done.

In fourth place in the Championship table and just three points short of one of the much-cherished automatic promotion places, the second half of 2025-26 promises to be big for the Lions.

Having come extremely close to reaching a play-off place frequently in recent years, the Lions are well-placed to go one better this time around.

With the January transfer window now open, the opportunity is there for the club to strengthen ahead of this challenge, and one of the players that the Lions are keen to take to The Den is Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.

But now, it is being reported that Millwall may need a little help from the Premier League club in order to get a deal over the line.

Millwall issue emerges with Anthony Patterson transfer pursuit

As revealed by Alan Nixon earlier in the week, Millwall are in the hunt for Patterson's services, after he dropped into second-choice stopper at the Stadium of Light at the start of the season following the signing of Robin Roefs.

But now, Nixon has claimed that getting the Academy of Light graduate to The Den might not necessarily be straightforward.

The fresh report claims that Millwall will need Sunderland's assistance in getting a temporary move for Patterson green lighted, because they cannot afford to pay his whole wage for the remainder of the season.

Therefore, the London outfit would need the Black Cats and their Premier League riches to offset some of the salary demands that come with trying to sign Patterson.

As per Capology's estimates, Patterson is earning £20,000 a week at Sunderland, and if that is the case, it is a figure that Millwall as of right now cannot afford to pay.

Millwall need goalkeeping cover, and Anthony Patterson would be an excellent replacement

Millwall are in need of goalkeeping cover as a result of the recall of Steven Benda by Fulham, as well as a recent setback to Lukas Jensen, who has been absent since late last season with an achilles injury.

Benda, who signed for Alex Neil's side on a season-long loan in the summer, kept goal for their first 11 games of the season before a groin injury kept him out of the first team for three weeks and he was unable to wrestle the first-choice spot in the team back from Max Crocombe.

This leaves Millwall in need of goalkeeping cover before the end of the transfer window, and Anthony Patterson certainly fits the bill.

Patterson was in goal for Sunderland as they raced to promotion through the play-offs at the end of the 2024-25 season, but lost his place in the summer to new signing Robin Roefs and has barely featured this season. Roefs recently saved three penalty kicks as Sunderland edged past Everton in the FA Cup Third Round after a shootout.

So, the question becomes that of whether Sunderland will be happy to split the financial difference with Millwall. There may be other clubs who'd be happy to step in and offer to way his full wages over the second half of the season.

But if there aren't, the Lions could start negotiating.

The arrival of Anthony Patterson would be an excellent addition to their squad, though the Black Cats may want reassurance that he's going to get game-time, if they're subsidising his move. Millwall will be fervently hoping that they can reach agreement with the newly-promoted Premier League club and get the accomplished goalkeeping cover they need to continue their push for a Premier League place of their own.