Rangers, Wolves and Wrexham are said to have had transfer interest in the Sunderland stopper this summer.
Rangers had interest in another signing from Sunderland - but a bulging price tag has convinced them to seek alternatives amid Wolves and Wrexham competition.
Dan Neil has already arrived at Ibrox after time at the Black Cats and Anthony Patterson was another on the Ibrox transfer radar. The goalkeeper, alongside Neil, helped Sunderland back to the Premier League but was loaned out to Millwall last term. Rangers have made changes between the sticks this summer under new boss Derek McInnes and Patterson was one player they admired.
Eventually, they opted for Hull City’s Ivor Pandur, as number one Jack Butland joined the Tigers. Wolves and Wrexham may yet offer Patterson a new home but Rangers were stopped in their tracks over a £7m price tag that Sunderland have put on the shot-stopper.
Read More
Who will sign Anthony Patterson this summer?
Reporting from transfer journalist Alan Nixon states: “Ambitious Wrexham are making a bid to sign Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson. The Welsh club hope to agree a deal with the Black Cats - either on loan or even a buy at £7 million. Patterson is also wanted by Millwall who are keen to have him back for a second time after a successful spell last season.
“The asking price put off Rangers and Wolves cannot move for Patterson until they move out one of theirs. Wrexham may pay a fee but would be happier with a loan or a loan to buy arrangement.”
Moves this summer have left Rangers with Pandur as their number one but he has not joined up with McInnes’ side yet after involvement with Croatia at the World Cup. Liam Kelly will remain back-up with youngsters then behind him as club legend Allan McGregor returns to Ibrox as goalkeeping coach. Butland was taken aback by the immediate shift in the goalkeeping department at Rangers and admits his move back down south is bittersweet.
Butland has left Rangersplaceholder image
Butland has left Rangers | (Image: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Why has Jack Butland left Rangers to join Hull City?
He said last week of his transfer: “It’s football. You should know. It’ s incredible. I had no idea at that point. At that point it was exactly that. No truer words were said last time. It’s a bittersweet one. It’s a great opportunity, really excited about the opportunity. Premier League football, believe in what I can bring and help that squad in what’s going to be a challenging season, I’m looking forward to that challenge.
“But, letting go, I don’t think you ever really can when you’ve been at a club like Rangers. You don’t really let go. It’s been really tough. I’ll never be far from it, fully, fully enjoyed the last three years and it’s been a huge part of my career and one that I’m very grateful of having had the opportunity to be a part of. Bittersweet, sad to leave. Really sad to leave. But really excited about the opportunity.”
Continue Reading