Sheffield United are reportedly prepared to offer £8m for Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson this summer.
The 24-year-old has cemented his spot as first-choice goalkeeper at the Stadium of Light in recent years, helping the Black Cats to escape the rigours of third-tier football in 2022.
In what was a tumultuous season for Sunderland due to a number of a managerial changes, Patterson still managed to enjoy a productive term in between the sticks.
The keeper featured in 45 Championship matches for the Black Cats, keeping 13 clean sheets and steering his club towards a 13th-placed finish in the second tier.
Since graduating from the club's academy in October 2018, Patterson has made 123 appearances for Sunderland across all competitions while also experiencing a loan spell at Notts County in the National League.
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Sheffield United preparing £8m bid for Sunderland's Patterson?
According to The Sun, Sunderland's Patterson could be set for a high-profile move across the Championship ahead of the 2024-25 campaign beginning.
The report states that Premier League whipping boys Sheffield United are interested in securing the services of the goalkeeper during the summer transfer window.
It is understood that the Championship-bound Blades are in the process of planning a summer swoop for the 24-year-old, who ranked highly in the second tier for clean sheets this season.
With Chris Wilder aiming to bolster his squad for a promotion challenge next term, United are said to be set to offer £8m for the signature of Patterson.
Having signed an extension to his terms at the Stadium of Light in September, the 24-year-old's contract with Sunderland expires in 2028, meaning that the Black Cats are in no rush to sell the player.
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Sheffield United's defensive rebuild
With one game remaining of this Premier League season, Sheffield United are 13 points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, meaning that the Blades' relegation is emphatically confirmed.
A glaring issue for Wilder's troops this year has been their woeful defensive record, with the Yorkshiremen breaking unwanted records this season.
United conceded their 101st goal of the term in the narrow defeat at Everton on Saturday, surpassing Swindon Town's tally of 100 strikes allowed during the 1993-94 campaign.
Patterson is being targeted as a new first-choice keeper at Bramall Lane, with Wes Foderingham out of contract this summer and Ivo Grbic failing to impress since joining from Atletico Madrid in January.
