Wrexham closing in on Sunderland's Patterson

What the report says

Wrexham are closing in on a move for Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, according to BBC Sport Football. The Championship club are set to strengthen their goalkeeping options as manager Phil Parkinson continues to add to a squad preparing for a demanding second-tier season. Patterson, 26, is expected to have a medical and could be available for Wrexham’s league opener away to Cardiff City on 17 August.

The BBC reports that the transfer may affect the club’s current goalkeeping pecking order. Nigeria international Arthur Okonkwo is in the final year of his contract, while Wales international Danny Ward is also in the last year of his deal. Wrexham have already brought in full-back Danny Imray and midfielder Ben Whiteman this summer, but Parkinson has said more work is needed to make the squad strong enough for the Championship.

Patterson came through Sunderland’s academy and has built up substantial senior experience, including appearances in the Championship and a loan spell at Millwall last season. He had been part of Sunderland’s squad in a pre-season meeting with Wrexham earlier this month. More broadly, the move reflects Wrexham’s ongoing push to build depth after promotion to the Championship, while Sunderland face the possibility of losing a goalkeeper with Premier League and play-off experience.