Millwall should hijack Bristol City for £2m-rated Anthony Patterson alternative | OneFootball

FLW discusses why Millwall should attempt to sign Bristol City-linked Sam Tickle instead of former loanee Anthony Patterson from Sunderland.

Millwall came as close as they have ever done to playing Premier League football for the first time last season, but were beaten by Hull City in the Championship play-offs.

The Lions finished in third place with the second-most wins (24) in the division in what was the south London club's most successful season in decades. However, it ended with a 2-0 aggregate defeat to eventual play-off winners Hull.

There will be plenty for Alex Neil to ponder in the transfer market this summer as the Lions look to go one better and reach the top-flight for the first time since 1990.

One of the key decisions Neil will have to make in the transfer market will be regarding his goalkeeping department after loanee Anthony Patterson returned to parent club Sunderland.

The Black Cats will reportedly be demanding a fee in the region of £8million for the goalkeeper this summer, despite seemingly being surplus to requirements at the Stadium of Light.

Patterson impressed during his half-season at The Den, keeping seven clean sheets in 16 appearances. However, an £8million price tag feels excessive, and Millwall can surely find a cheaper alternative. If recent reports are to be believed, they could find one for a quarter of the price in Wigan Athletic's Sam Tickle, who has been strongly linked with a move to Bristol City.

Millwall should swoop for Sam Tickle ahead of Bristol City

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As exclusively revealed by Football League World, Bristol City are in the race to sign Sam Tickle alongside QPR. According to Alan Nixon on Patreon, Wigan could accept a fee between £1.5million and £2million for the goalkeeper.

The 24-year-old has been one of the standout goalkeepers in League One in recent seasons and has played a key role in helping the Latics survive relegation in the last two campaigns.

A former England Under-21 international, Tickle has played every minute of Wigan's last three League One campaigns and has 158 senior appearances for his boyhood club to his name, keeping 54 clean sheets in the process.

The Robins' situation is incredibly similar to Millwall's as they too are looking to replace a loanee goalkeeper following Radek Vitek's return to Manchester United. After an outstanding campaign in the West Country, Vitek's price tag reportedly stands at £10million, with interest higher up the pyramid expected.

Despite rumours circulating on social media that Bristol City have already submitted a bit for Tickle, Wigan Today have reported that the Latics are yet to receive any offers for their number one shot stopper.

If Millwall are going to recruit a new goalkeeper this summer, Tickle could prove to be a bargain deal with Championship interest in the 24-year-old intensifying. They will have to move quickly though, as it doesn't seem as though Wigan will be able to hold onto their goalkeeper for much longer.

Millwall may wait for Lukas Jensen update

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An alternative to Sam Tickle, which wouldn't cost Millwall anything, is returning the number one shirt to current goalkeeper Lukas Jensen, who hasn't played a first-team game since rupturing his Achilles in April 2025.

The 27-year-old impressed for the Lions during the 2024/25 campaign after joining from Lincoln City in 2024 on the back of an excellent season in League One with the Imps.

Jensen did recover from the Achilles injury last season, but subsequently picked up a quad problem while playing in an Under-21s match which has ruled him out since.

It is currently unclear when Millwall hope to have the Dane back available, but if he is set to be ready for pre-season, there is a chance Alex Neil opts to give the 27-year-old an opportunity instead of purchasing a new goalkeeper.