EXCLUSIVE DEEP DIVE: The Goalkeeper Carousel That Could Define the Championship Survival Race
By 247sportcity | Wednesday, January 21, 2026
WEST BROMWICH – Desperate times call for decisive measures. As the January transfer window enters its final, frantic stretch, a high-stakes subplot has emerged involving one of the Championship’s most historic clubs and a Premier League outcast looking for redemption.
Reports surfacing this evening from the Sunderland Echo and Football League World have confirmed that West Bromwich Albion have launched a bold “transfer raid” for Sunderland’s promotion-winning goalkeeper, Anthony Patterson. The move comes as new Baggies boss Eric Ramsay looks to urgently plug the leaks in a defense that was humiliated 5-0 by Norwich City just 24 hours ago.
But this is not a simple loan deal. It is a complex domino effect involving three clubs, a Bundesliga veteran, and a fight for survival.
The Baggies in Crisis: Why Patterson?
To understand why West Brom are turning to Patterson, one must first look at the wreckage of their 2025/26 campaign.
- The Management Turmoil: The club recently sacked Ryan Mason after a disastrous run of form and replaced him with the highly-rated 34-year-old coach Eric Ramsay (formerly of Minnesota United and Manchester United).
- The “Griffiths Experiment” Failed: Ramsay has persisted with academy product Josh Griffiths (21 starts this season), but patience has finally snapped. The 5-0 drubbing by Norwich at The Hawthorns on Tuesday night was the final straw. With experienced backup Joe Wildsmith also failing to convince during his seven-game stint, Ramsay has decided a new “No. 1” is non-negotiable.
- The Relegation Reality: Sitting just three points above the Championship relegation zone, West Brom cannot afford sentimentality. They need a keeper who knows the division and can handle the pressure of a relegation dogfight.
Anthony Patterson fits the profile perfectly. He was the rock behind Sunderland’s promotion from League One and their subsequent rise to the Premier League. He has over 150 senior appearances and, crucially, is desperate to play.
The Sunderland Situation: From Hero to Zero
Life comes at you fast in football. Twelve months ago, Patterson was the undisputed king of the Stadium of Light, the local lad leading his team to Wembley glory. Today, he is a specter on the bench.
The Rise of Robin Roefs: The primary reason for Patterson’s availability is the sensational form of Robin Roefs. Since Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League, the Dutch shot-stopper (signed from NEC Nijmegen) has been a revelation.
- Roefs’ Impact: He has kept Sunderland in mid-table safety and was the hero in their recent FA Cup penalty shootout win over Everton.
- Patterson’s Exile: The 25-year-old Patterson has made just one appearance all season (a Carabao Cup loss to Huddersfield). For a goalkeeper entering his prime, this stagnation is unacceptable.
The Manager’s Stance: Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has been pragmatic. He has publicly admitted that Patterson “could depart this month,” but he has attached a strict condition to the deal: Sunderland must sign a replacement first. Le Bris is unwilling to be left with only youth keepers as cover for Roefs in the Premier League.
The Domino Effect: Jonas Omlin to the Rescue?
This is where the transfer gets complicated. West Brom’s move for Patterson is entirely dependent on Sunderland’s ability to land their own target.
- The Target: Sunderland are currently in advanced talks to sign Borussia Mönchengladbach goalkeeper Jonas Omlin on loan.
- The Fit: Omlin, a 32-year-old Swiss international with Champions League experience, is currently out of favor in Germany (sitting behind Moritz Nicolas). He views a short-term Premier League stint as the perfect shop window.
- The Status: Reports suggest Omlin is keen on the move. If Sunderland can finalize his wages and medical by the weekend, the “green light” will be given for Patterson to leave.
The Rival Bid: Millwall Lurking in the Shadows
West Brom are not the only sharks circling. Millwall have also registered serious interest in Patterson.
- The Connection: Millwall are managed by Alex Neil—the very man who gave Patterson his debut at Sunderland and managed him during their League One promotion season.
- The Appeal: The emotional pull of reuniting with a manager who trusts him implicitly could be a major factor for Patterson.
- The Need: Millwall have their own crisis, with first-choice keeper Lukas Jensen out with a long-term Achilles injury and Fulham loanee Steven Benda recently recalled.
Analysis: A Win-Win-Win Scenario?
If the dominoes fall correctly, this could be the rare transfer web where everyone benefits:
- West Brom get a proven, promotion-winning goalkeeper to organize their defense and save them from relegation.
- Sunderland offload a high-wage benchwarmer while bringing in an experienced international (Omlin) to mentor their young star (Roefs).
- Anthony Patterson escapes footballing purgatory to play meaningful minutes in a high-pressure environment.
The Verdict: The next 48 hours are critical. If Sunderland close the Omlin deal, expect Patterson to be driving down the M1 shortly after. For West Brom fans, his arrival cannot come soon enough. Eric Ramsay’s reputation—and the club’s Championship status—may well depend on it.