Florent Ghisolfi faces dilemma as Sunderland weigh Anthony Patterson options | OneFootball

Anthony Patterson is back on Wearside before the 2026/27 season, training for his next step. With Robin Roefs established as number one and Melker Ellborg signed in January, a summer departure now looks likely.

Sunderland Echo reports that the club are weighing structures that properly reflect his value. At 26, Patterson has nearly 200 senior appearances over five seasons and has regularly ranked among the EFL’s stronger goalkeepers for save percentage.

Academy graduates count as pure profit under SCR, which is averaged across three years. Meeting Sunderland’s £8-10 million valuation could create about £3 million of headroom, with Ellborg already in place on low amortisation.

Most suitors are Championship clubs given his limited top-tier experience, and paying that figure for a goalkeeper may be difficult without a windfall elsewhere. That leaves a tight market.

A loan to Millwall made sense in January to protect value, but with two years left on his deal another loan could weaken Sunderland’s position next summer. Options include a loan with an obligation to buy if promoted, or a smaller initial fee with significant add-ons, the latter viewed as more likely.

Patterson is understood to prefer a permanent move so he can settle and kick on. That would also suit Sunderland, though pragmatism and patience may be needed while clubs create room to get closer to the valuation.

Source: Sunderland Echo