Sunderland have been linked with a move for Portsmouth goalkeeper Alex Bass. The Black Cats are looking to bring in at least one senior keeper as competition and cover for academy graduate Anthony Patterson, who performed well in League One in the second half of last season but is still relatively inexperienced.
Last term Sunderland had Lee Burge and on-loan Bayern Munich man Thorben Hoffman to call upon alongside Patterson, but they both depared Wearside over the summer. And that has left head coach Alex Neil with only Patterson and the even less experienced academy pair of Jacob Carney and Adam Richardson as backup - neither of whom have played a league game.
But reports this afternoon indicate that Sunderland are keen on Pompey keeper Bass. The 24-year-old came through the youth ranks at Portsmouth and made his debut in a League Cup defeat at the hands of Coventry City in August 2016.
READ MORE: Alex Neil says loan decisions will have to wait until Sunderland add more signings
He has made a total of 41 appearances in all competitions for the South Coast club. Bass has also spent loan spells at Southern League side Salisbury, Torquay United, Southend United, and most recently Bradford City, making 22 League Two appearances for the Bantams after joining them in January.
In all, he has made 117 career appearances so far.
READ NEXT:
- Sunderland pushing for more signings before Championship season begins, says Alex Neil
- Alex Neil gives his verdict on Sunderland's final pre-season performance at Hartlepool
- Sunderland player ratings as Elliot Embleton stars in final pre-season outing at Hartlepool
- Hartlepool 1-1 Sunderland report as Embleton's penalty earns Black Cats a draw in final friendly
- Alex Neil insists places are still up for grabs in Sunderland's opening day line-up