Ex-Sunderland figure: club ‘to accept’ Anthony Patterson bid, Granit Xhaka offer embarrassing | OneFootball

Former Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown believes the club could accept a suitable offer for Anthony Patterson this summer, and has condemned Chelsea’s opening bid for Granit Xhaka as embarrassing.

"He [Patterson] will want to be playing regularly, and clubs in the Championship are willing to give him that chance, whether that means staying at Millwall or going somewhere like Wrexham. From Sunderland's point of view, they'll be happy to let him go for the right price, because it brings in more money which they can use elsewhere," he told Football Insider.

Patterson, 26, lost the number one shirt to Dutch international Robin Roefs last season and spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Millwall in the Championship. Speculation has since grown over a permanent exit for the academy graduate.

Chelsea made an opening bid of £eight million for the Sunderland captain, which was rejected. The Black Cats remain reluctant to sell, mindful of the outlay agreed with Bayer Leverkusen for the 33-year-old last year.

"I don't see any reason Sunderland would entertain offers for Granit Xhaka now. He's under contract there until 2028, they're under no financial pressure to sell, and the manager is not going to be willing to weaken his squad after a strong season."

"Whether or not he wants to move to Chelsea or has agreed to join is irrelevant at this stage, the club don't want to sell, and if no agreement is reached, he will still be a Sunderland player. I don't know what Chelsea were thinking, making an offer like £8 million, it's embarrassing for them because Sunderland were never going to sell at that price."

Source: Sunderland Echo