Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson has reportedly emerged as a potential transfer target for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City.
Up until the midway point of last season, Patterson had only picked up minimal experience between the sticks in the Black Cats first team, instead spending time on loan at Notts County.
However, the academy graduate soon established himself as first choice as Sunderland went on to win the League One playoffs, securing a return to the Championship.
Since then, the 22-year-old's stock has only risen, making 29 starts in a side which occupies ninth position in the second-tier standings.
Having only penned a new four-year contract as recently as the summer, Patterson is tied to Sunderland in the long term.
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Nevertheless, according to The Sun, Wolves and Leicester City head the Premier League contingent who could move for the Englishman in the future.
The report suggests that Sunderland may give consideration to trying to recoup £10m for Patterson should they fail to achieve promotion to the top flight.
From Wolves' perspective, they are well stocked for options between the sticks, with Daniel Bentley having just been signed from Bristol City to provide competition for Jose Sa.
Matjia Sarkic is also on Wolves' books, albeit currently out on loan at Stoke City, but it is claimed that Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui views Patterson as an eventual number one at Molineux.
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As far as Leicester are concerned, they made the decision to promote Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen as a way of replacing Kasper Schmeichel.
Nevertheless, Ward has failed to convince as the senior custodian, and Iversen is not viewed as a future first choice at the King Power Stadium.
Any approach may be dependent on both clubs remaining in the Premier League, but they each boosted their chances with impressive victories on Saturday.
Wolves produced their best performance of the season to record a 3-0 win over Liverpool, while Leicester came from behind to outlast Aston Villa in a 4-2 triumph.
Darren Plant
