Portsmouth rivals battling to sign £8m Sunderland talent as Derby County and Middlesbrough chase defender
The latest transfer headlines involving Pompey’s Championship rivals.
The wait for Pompey’s retained list continues after the season came to a close earlier this month.
The Blues have already confirmed the departure of Andre Dozzell, who sealed a free-transfer switch to DC United, while Marlon Pack penned a new one-year deal to extend his stay with his boyhood club on Friday.
Meanwhile, the future of John Mousinho remains under the spotlight as Bristol City continue their managerial search, with the head coach still in the frame.
There is just over a month to go until the transfer window opens for business and there’s plenty of gossip and speculation doing the rounds across the Championship as the rumour mill begins to turn.
Here are the latest headlines involving Pompey’s second-tier rivals.
Championship clubs chase Sunderland star
A host of Championship sides are queuing up to sign Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Paterson, according to reports.
The 26-year-old is currently on loan with Millwall, where he’s kept seven clean sheets in 15 outings - including Friday’s play-off semi-final first-leg tie with Hull City.
Indeed, our sister paper, the Sunderland Echo, have claimed as many as six clubs are currently tracking the shot stopper, whose future at the Stadium of Light remains uncertain.
Millwall are said to have been joined in the hunt by play-off rivals Hull as well as Southampton, Derby County, West Brom and recently-crowned champions Coventry City.
The report suggests Sunderland value Patterson at £8m - £10m as clubs begin to circle across the Championship.
A permanent Stadium of Light departure this summer will also depend on the future of first-choice keeper Robin Roefs, who is believed to have growing interest overseas.
With his future on Wearside uncertain despite having two years to on his deal, Patterson is reportedly open to a Black Cats exit in a bid to earn regular football.
Patterson has kept 51 clean sheets in 169 appearances in all competitions for Sunderland - including two outings against Pompey since his debut in 2020.
Middlesbrough and Derby County track Sheff Wed defender
Middlesbrough and Derby County are both tracking Sheffield Wednesday defender Max Lowe.
That’s according to our sister paper, The Sheffield Star, who have revealed a clutch of Pompey’s Championship rivals have the 28-year-old on their transfer radar.
The left-back is out of contract at the end of June, with uncertainty continuing to grow over his Hillsborough future following their relegation to League One.
The duo have both been credited with an interest in Lowe, who started his career with Derby County, alongside Leicester City, who are joining the Owls in the third tier next term.
The full-back has registered 66 outings in all competitions during a two-year stay at Sheffield Wednesday and started September’s 2-0 triumph over Pompey at Fratton Park.
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