SUNDERLAN NEWS: According to a skysport story this evening, Sunderland has formally announced the hiring of Anthony Patterson, their goaltender, from Everton, following his official departure to Liverpool.

Clarity on Anthony Patterson future at Sunderland amid Liverpool and Man City interest

Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson has been linked with Liverpool and Manchester City this summer.

Anthony Patterson, 24, graduated through the Sunderland youth academy and has since racked up 123 total appearances for the Black Cats, with 37 clean sheets.

Last season, Patterson made 45 Championship appearances and kept 13 clean sheets as the Black Cats finished in a disappointing 16th place of the table.

The Newcastle-upon-Tyne born goalkeeper was a target for Premier League teams throughout the campaign, with Liverpool mentioned more than most.

Since the end of the season, Liverpool have been linked once again, along with Manchester City and newly-promoted Southampton.

Alan Nixon recently claimed that Sunderland value Patterson at £20million, with the Black Cats also entertaining interest in Jobe Bellingham and Jack Clarke this summer.

Now, some more clarity has been shared on Patterson’s future at Sunderland.

READ MORE: Most expensive Championship player sales amid £40m Jobe Bellingham claim at Sunderland

Sunderland stance on Anthony Patterson amid Liverpool and Manchester City interest

An emerging report from Sunderland Echo has provided clarity on Patterson’s Sunderland future amid Premier League interest.

Sunderland Echo say that Patterson is in ‘no rush’ to leave the club and that new manager Regis Le Bris and Sunderland are ‘clearly planning’ for Patterson to be the no.1 goalkeeper next season.

Patterson remains under contract at the Stadium of Light until 2028 and so the Black Cats are under no pressure to sell their star goalkeeper.

Both Liverpool and Manchester City are looking for young no.2s to come in this summer and challenge their current no.1 goalkeepers for the starting spot in time.

Southampton meanwhile may be able to offer Patterson regular Premier League football next season with their no.1 seemingly up for grabs as things stand.

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Kristjaan Speakman deserves Sunderland praise for one thing

Not only do Sunderland have a growing list of youngsters wanted in the Premier League, whose transfer values are growing. But they’re mostly under long-term contracts.

The Black Cats are under no immediate pressure to sell anyone this summer and so Kristjaan Speakman and co can sit back and wait for offers to come in that match their valuation.

Not only that, but these youngsters like Patterson know that they’ll get game time at Sunderland, whereas it’s not often guaranteed in the Premier League.

Sunderland though look set to cash in on at least one of their star players this summer, in order to give Le Bris and Speakman some spending money in the transfer window.

Sunderland desperately need to add more attacking quality and experience if they’re to improve on last season’s poor league finish.