West Brom plot loan transfer raid for Sunderland talent as Black Cats eye replacement - reports
Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson is said to be a target for West Brom
West Brom are eyeing a loan move for Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, according to reports.
The Black Cats academy graduate has struggled for game time on Wearside following the arrival of Robin Roefs during the summer transfer window, and at the time of writing, has just a sole senior outing to his name this term.
As such, speculation over his future has started to mount in recent weeks, with a host of Championship clubs - including the likes of Millwall, Southampton, and QPR - touted as admirers of the 25-year-old.
And according to online outlet Football League World, West Brom are the latest side to take an interest in a possible loan swoop for Patterson. The Baggies are in the midst of a tumultuous campaign, and sit just three points above the relegation zone having lost both of their first two matches under new boss Eric Ramsay.
Consequently, Albion are understood to be looking for ways to bolster their squad this month, and have seemingly identified Patterson as a target, with Josh Griffiths and Joe Wildsmith battling it out for the number one jersey ever since Alex Palmer was sold to Ipswich Town last year.
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What has Regis Le Bris said about the possibility of Anthony Patterson leaving Sunderland?
For his part, head coach Regis Le Bris has suggested that Patterson could leave this January, but only if a suitable replacement can be found. Speaking in a recent press conference, he said: "Yes, it's an option for him to leave this month. But he will need to be replaced, absolutely this is the case.
"It's always tough when players aren't playing We have to accept that, for us and for them because you want to play and when you don't play you are frustrated, which is normal. After that, you have competition. For example, for those two players Dan [Neil] with Granit [Xhaka] and Patto with Robin. This is the competition and I think it's fair to say the best players are playing right now. That doesn't mean they're not good players, they are both good players but competition is competition."
To that end, Sunderland may be set to bring in a replacement for Patterson, with journalist Pete O’Rourke claiming that Sunderland have opened negotiations with Borussia Monchengladbach over a potential loan agreement for 32-year-old stopper Jonas Omlin. The four-cap Swiss international joined the German side from Montpellier in 2023, but is currently understudy to Moritz Nicolas, and has not made a first team appearance this season.
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