Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit backs Southampton to seal Sunderland AFC transfer on one condition | OneFootball

The Black Cats have play-offs to think about, but are already fielding interest for their top stars

Recently relegated Southampton are reportedly interested in Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.

That’s according to a report from The Sun, where it was revealed the Saints’ current gloveman, Aaron Ramsdale, is expected to leave either on loan or as part of a permanent sale.

However, with the Black Cats having secured their place in the Championship play-offs, there’s every chance Patterson’s current club could be a division higher than Southampton when the 2025/26 season commences.

We asked Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie whether this would be a good signing for the Saints.

Promotion will be key to Sunderland keeping hold of Patterson

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie said: “With Southampton, the relegation, they'll be looking for key replacements and Aaron Ramsdale, obviously, he'll be one that certainly won't be there and they’ll need a replacement.

“You feel, yes, Anthony Patterson had a great season this season, actually; really instrumental in their push to promotion and fixating that play-offs spot, which they have done again.

“This could hang in the balance. I think, yes, for sure, that Southampton would be looking to maybe take him to the football club, but you do feel that if Sunderland get promoted, would he actually leave Sunderland? I'm not so sure he would do.

“He's been there for quite some time and he knows the foundation of the football club.

“I just think that it'll all hang in the balance of whether Sunderland actually get promoted, because, listen, lots of players in the Championship, they want to play in the Premier League, and that might be his opportunity.”

Southampton are not the only side for Sunderland to be wary of

The same report also revealed that Burnley have watched Patterson in recent times, which may become relevant again this summer.

James Trafford, the Clarets’ current gloveman and undoubtedly one of the best players in the Championship this season, has long had strong links to Newcastle United, which do not look like dimming this summer, despite Burnley’s re-entry to the Premier League.

If the Magpies do land their man, it will leave Scott Parker’s side looking for a replacement in a key position, one that Patterson could well be in line to fill.

The knock-on impact could well go the other way, too, if Burnley decide Ramsdale is more suited to their requirements with his current search for a Premier League spot.

However, if Sunderland don’t go up, and Burnley do need a goalkeeper, then the Black Cats will no doubt be on high alert given they have one of the next-best young goalkeeping talents at their disposal.

As Hendrie says, it is most players’ dream to play in the Premier League; if Sunderland and Southampton can’t offer than, then it’ll be hard to turn down a team that is.

There are a lot of moving parts to Patterson’s future and, until they’ve settled, it will be difficult to predict where the gloveman could pitch up at the start of next season.