Arsenal now set to battle Liverpool in race to sign the ‘next Jordan Pickford’

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Arsenal could be set to recruit another goalkeeper in the summer, and now have their eyes on a rising star in the Championship.

Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson has been attracting interest since his excellent breakthrough into the first-team, and has now made 105 senior appearances for the Championship side.

The 23-year-old became a first-team regular in League One in the 2021-22 season, and played every minute of Sunderland’s Championship campaign as they reached the playoff semi-finals last season, and has also been excellent this year.

Arsenal signed David Raya in the summer, and the Spaniard surprisingly replaced Aaron Ramsdale as Mikel Arteta’s number-one option with mixed results. Ramsdale has been linked with a move away, and should he depart, Patterson may be targeted as his replacement.

Arsenal are interested in Anthony Patterson

HITC have revealed that Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are all tracking Patterson, and Sunderland are “ready” to cash in on the goalkeeper in the summer.

Liverpool could let Caoimhin Kelleher leave, and may look to replace him with Patterson, whilst City could do the same with Stefan Ortega.

If Ramsdale departs this summer, potentially for a huge fee to a Premier League rival such as West Ham, Patterson could be targeted as an English homegrown option to replace him.

Patterson could follow Jordan Pickford route out of Sunderland

England’s current number-one goalkeeper Jordan Pickford joined Everton from Sunderland in 2017 after his initial breakthrough over a few seasons, and became his country’s first-choice shot-stopper.

Making the move from Sunderland, who were relegated that season, kept Pickford in England contention, and should Patterson move to the Premier League, he could be the next Pickford in the sense that he could gain a lot more recognition on the International stage.

However, if he is Arsenal’s number two option, his lack of minutes could prove to be a stumbling block in his chances of breaking through for England.

Arteta has previously stated that he would like to rotate his goalkeepers, but is yet to do so with Ramsdale and Raya, and it would be a surprise if he starts giving Patterson regular minutes should he sign.

However, Arsenal are keen on a younger number two option, and Patterson could arrive at the perfect age and experience level to push Raya, but not replicate the current situation which sees increased scrutiny over both goalkeepers now.

Arteta has had a far from stable goalkeeping roster over the years, with the likes of Bernd Leno, Mat Ryan and Matt Turner as backup options, and Patterson could help provide a long-term solution in the position.