Leicester City want Anthony Patterson to solve their goalkeeping crisis this summer, according to reports. Long-serving goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel left the club just four days before the start of the campaign.
With the Foxes handicapped financially, they were unable to sign a replacement and promoted Danny Ward to first-choice keeper. However, the Welshman has failed to take his chance, conceding the third most in the Premier League in 2022-23.
Defensive fragilities and poor goalkeeping have plummeted Leicester into a shock relegation battle for the first time since 2015. As it stands, City are just one point above the drop zone despite playing a game more than 18th-placed West Ham United.
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Signing a goalkeeper will be a priority for King Power chiefs - and Patterson could be their top target. Reporter Alan Nixon claims Leicester and Wolverhampton Wanderers are expressing interest in the 22-year-old.
The Sunderland stopper broke into the first team at the back end of last season and was integral to the run-in that eventually led to promotion. Patterson was rewarded with a new contract until 2026, meaning he will not come cheap for any Premier League suitors.
The report suggests Leicester would be willing to offer Daniel Iversen as part of the deal. Due to Ward’s inconsistencies, the Dane made his top-flight debut in the Foxes’ most recent fixture - a 1-1 draw at Brentford.
Worryingly for Sunderland fans, Tony Mowbray has previously hinted he may be helpless from preventing Patterson’s departure. He told reporters earlier this month: “I can give an opinion on anything, but ultimately, I’m pretty sure I won’t be making the decisions.
“Ultimately, for me, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. You wouldn’t want to lose Dan Neil or Anthony Patterson at 21 years old. You would hope that you could find a way, contractually, to secure them.
"But if the model becomes that we’re going to sell players along the way, then you hope that you get the top prices for them so that there is money to reinvest back into the team.”
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