Brad, Baxter or Bialkowski - will Sunderland sign a new ‘keeper?
Sunderland need to sign at least one new goalkeeper this summer – while some names have already been linked with a move to Wearside.
Academy graduate AnthonyPattersonimpressedforthe Black Cats in the second half of last season, yet the 22-year-old still has limited game time at first-team level.
Even if Patterson does start the season as Sunderland’s first-choicegoalkeeper,hewill atleastneedsomecompetition followingthedeparturesofLee BurgeandThorbenHoffmann.
ItwillthereforebeinterestingtoseeiftheBlackCatstryto signanotheryounggoalkeeper, or someone with more experience.
Here are eight players they could look at this summer...
John Ruddy - Sunderland have already been credited with interest in the experienced stopper, who is set to leave Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer. Ruddy played under Alex Neil at Norwich City, while Wolves boss Bruno Lage wants to keep his third-choice keeper, who he has described as 'a leader by example' who 'works hard every day'.
Daniel Iversen - Another keeper who is reportedly on Sunderland's radar. Iveresen, 24, started every Championship game for Preston North End last season during a loan spell from Leicester City. His gametimewillbelimitedatthe King Power Stadium, though, so another move to the Championship would be beneficial.
Ethan Horvath - The 27-year-old joined Nottingham Forest on a free transfer from Club Brugge last summer but made just 11 appearances due totheformoffirst-choicestopper Brice Samba. Horvath is a USAinternationalandmaysee hisgametimereducedfurther followingForest'spromotionto the Premier League. With two years left on his contract at the City Ground, a loan move may even be possible.
BradCollins-WhileBarnsley were relegated from the Championship, Collins was statistically ranked in the division's top five when it came to goals prevented. The 25-yearoldalsohelpedtheTykesreach the Championship play-offs in the 2020/21 season and has just a year left on his contract at Oakwell.
AlexSmithies -Itwasadisappointing 2021/22 campaign forthe32-year-old,andCardiff City in general, yet Smithies would come with plenty of experienceafterplayingregularlyfortheBluebirdsandQPRin the Championship. The stopper is available on a free transfer after his Cardiff contract wasn't renewed.
Nathan Baxter - A younger keeper who has a year left on his contract at Chelsea and made 16 Championship appearances while on loan at Hull City last season. Baxter is 23 and will now be looking to gain more regular game time aftercomingthroughtheranks at Stamford Bridge.
Bartosz Bialkowski - Now 34, the Pole has been Millwall's first-choice stopper for the last three seasons and hasn't missed a league game. Bialkowski has just a year left on his contract at The Den so may be available at a reduced price.
Michael Cooper - After coming through the ranks at Plymouth Argyle, the 22-yearold has started every league game for the Pilgrims over the last two seasons. Cooper was namedintheEFL’sLeagueOne TeamoftheSeasonafterkeeping18cleansheetslastterm.He has two years left on his contract at Home Park.