Sunderland 'happy' to accept offer for Wrexham target Anthony Patterson
Sunderland are prepared to accept offers for Anthony Patterson this summer as he is not part of Regis Le Bris' plans for the new season.
The 26-year-old played a key role in Sunderland's promotion to the Premir League, but spent the latter half of last season on loan at Millwall after being replaced by Robin Roefs.
Roefs' outstanding first season at the Stadium of Light has cemented his place as the first-choice goalkeeper, and means the man he replaced can now be moved on.
Former Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that there is no shortage of interest in Patterson, who remains highly rated by clubs in the second tier.
Millwall are keen to keep him on a permanent basis after a strong loan spell, but interest from ambitious Wrexham could throw a spanner in the works.
Sunderland are keen to make a decent fee from his sale, which will be reinvested into the squad, and are now inviting offers as they aim to drum up interest.
Could Sunderland accept new offers for Anthony Patterson?
Brown told Football Insider last summer that Sunderland were open to keeping Patterson as their second-choice goalkeeper, but his lack of involvement pushed him out.
After a strong spell with Millwall, who narrowly missed out on promotion after a playoff semi-final defeat to eventual winners Hull City, he is keen to move on once more.
Patterson hopes to continue to play regular first-team football next season, and will pursue a move away from Sunderland, who will not look to block his exit.
"Patterson is a very good goalkeeper and he's very highly rated," Brown told Football Insider.
"He's been pushed out of Sunderland a bit, because they went and brought in Roefs last summer, and he has gone from strength to strength since he came in.
"That pushed Patterson down the pecking order and he ended up going out on loan, where he had a good spell, and there's every chance he could now leave permanently.
"He will want to be playing regularly, and clubs in the Championship are willing to give him that chance, whether that means staying at Millwall or going somewhere like Wrexham.
"From Sunderland's point of view, they'll be happy to let him go for the right price, because it brings in more money which they can use elsewhere.
"He's not going to be part of the manager's plans, so there's no point keeping him around if clubs are prepared to pay money to lure him away."
What is next for Robin Roefs at Sunderland?
Speculation surrounding Patterson's long-term future at the Stadium of Light comes after he was pushed down the pecking order following Roefs' arrival last summer.
The Dutch shot-stopper is currently at the World Cup as part of Ronald Koeman's squad, with his performances earning him a spot as part of their goalkeeping collective.
Those performances have also attracted interest from rivals, but Football Insider revealed in May that Sunderland are confident of keeping Roefs in the North East.
However, Sunderland are set to make it difficult for them to strike a deal, and see him as a crucial part of their squad as they prepare to play in the Europa League next season.