Wrexham target Anthony Patterson is expected to undergo a medical on Monday after a deal was struck with Sunderland over a potential club-record transfer.The 26-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Millwall, was given permission to speak to the Welsh club following talks that had begun earlier in the summer.A product of Sunderland’s academy, Patterson established himself as the club’s first choice ‘keeper in the second half of the 2021-22 campaign. He went on to play a key role in Sunderland’s 2025 promotion, including two vital saves in the play-off final victory over Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium.However, the addition of Robin Roefs a year ago saw Paterson displaced as the Premier League club’s No 1. He came off the bench against Wrexham in the final friendly of the USA tour in Philadelphia, which was won 1-0 by Sunderland.Providing there are no late hitches, Patterson is set to become Wrexham’s third signing of the summer after previous captures of Crystal Palace wing-back Danny Imray and Ben Whiteman, the Preston North End captain.
Millwall and Rangers have also been linked with a goalkeeper who made 16 appearances last season after moving on loan to The Den in the January window, including both play-off semi-final legs against Hull City.Sources in the North East suggest the deal will be worth £8 million, eclipsing the previous club record £7.5 million fee paid for Nathan Broadhead a little under a year ago.A needed defensive upgradeNo less than 17 teams in last season’s Championship boasted a better defensive record than the combined 65 goals conceded by Arthur Okonkwo and Danny Ward.All manner of factors lay behind this less than stellar record, including early teething problems in defence and how control of midfield was ceded at times to the opposition, particularly during the absence of Matty James and Ben Sheaf between February and April.But, amid this mitigation, there was also a sense that both ‘keepers — Okonkwo made 38 league starts in 2025-26 and Ward eight — did okay between the posts, but no more.Both had their moments. Okonwko’s stoppage time saves in wins at Charlton Athletic and Millwall, in particular, were superb. Likewise, how Ward ensured Wrexham held on to a point at home to Sheffield Wednesday in August with a point blank save to deny Charlie McNeill in stoppage time.But, as The Athletic wrote on June 1 in a piece titled ‘What do Wrexham need to compete for promotion next season’, “If Wrexham really are serious about making a concerted top two challenge, a goalkeeper capable of making important saves at key moments while also displaying consistently sound decision-making will be paramount.”In Patterson, Wrexham must hope they have found that goalkeeper.
