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Sunderland have been linked with a loan move for a Tottenham Hotspur striker.

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Sunderland have been given a strong indication they could be successful if they choose to revisit their reported interest in a Premier League youngster.

The Black Cats were one of a number of clubs said to be keen on a loan move for Tottenham Hotspur striker Will Lankshear during the summer after the former Arsenal and Sheffield United academy frontman was handed a new long-term deal as a reward for the progress he has made since joining Spurs in the summer of 2022.

Sunderland were given some indication of what they could land should they make a move for the youngster after he scored twice for Spurs Under-21s in last season’s Premier League 2 play-off final win against a Black Cats side containing the likes of Harrison Jones, Oliver Bainbridge and highly-rated striker Trey Ogunsuyi. Lankshear has enjoyed mixed fortunes as he progressed into the first-team setup throughout the first half of the season and an admission from Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou on Tuesday afternoon has led to further speculation over the youngster’s short-term future with the North London club.

What have Spurs said about Lankshear’s future?

As reported earlier by The Echo, speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s North London derby clash with Arsenal on Wednesday, Spurs boss Postecoglou said: “We can't afford to let anyone go at the moment. Alfie Dorrington has gone out on loan and it will be probably be similar for young Will (Lankshear) as well, because he hasn't played a lot.”

What has been said about Lankshear’s ability?

The young striker wasted little time in giving a glimpse of his undoubted potential when he came off the bench to score in a pre-season friendly win against Scottish Premiership side Hearts in July. Speaking after the game, Postecoglou said of the youngster: “Will was good. We kind of brought him in this last week. He’s looked bright in training. He worked hard. He’s had a very good year last year and it’s about rewarding him for that. It’s about coming in and making an impact. He did well and he took his goal well.”

Since that pre-season goal, Lankshear has made two Premier League appearances after coming off the bench to feature in the closing stages of a draw with Fulham and a 5-0 demolition of struggling Southampton. The youngster was handed a start in a 2-1 Europa League group stage win against Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros in October before experiencing mixed fortunes when Spurs met Turkish giants Galatasaray a month later as he bagged his first senior goal before he was shown a red card after receiving two bookings in the 3-2 defeat.

"Will [Lankshear] took his goal well, he worked hard for the team,” said Postecoglou after the loss. “Obviously he hasn't had a lot of experience at senior football so he would have learnt a lot today. The red card, it was a bit of over-enthusiasm in that moment to give away a foul, but he'll learn from that."

What has Lankshear said about his future?

As you would imagine, very little. However, the England Under-20 striker did discuss his aims for the future after putting pen-to-paper on a new five-year deal last summer. Speaking just weeks after his brace helped Spurs Under-21s claim a 3-1 win over their Sunderland counterparts in the Premier League 2 play-off final, he said: "It's a really proud moment for me and my family and everyone involved. I just have to thank them and everyone who has worked with me. I’m really determined to work so hard and try push on now and try to make a name for myself. I want to try to get into the first team and score as many goals as possible which is the best I can do as a striker."

Who else has been linked with Lankshear?

As reported by online outlet GiveMeSport during the summer, Sunderland faced competition from Championship rivals Hull City and Hollywood-backed League One club Wrexham when it was initially suggested Lankshear could head out on loan. Without naming any possible suitors, Football London claimed the young striker had ‘a lot of interest’ ahead of the January transfer window and suggested there was interest in both loan and permanent deals before the window closes for business next month.

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Ex-Sunderland star Josh Maja is reportedly in demand this month.

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Premier League giants Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are both “seriously considering” a move for former Sunderland striker Josh Maja, according to reports.

The 26-year-old has been in superb form for West Brom this season, registering 12 goals and two assists across 26 Championship outings so far. To that end, his performances have seemingly been enough to attract the attention of top flight suitors, who could look to make their move for the forward between now and the end of January.

Continental outlet Fichajes suggest that both Chelsea and Spurs are monitoring Maja’s progress, and could be tempted into tabling a bid for the player over the coming weeks. The report goes on to state that West Brom have placed a £15 million price tag on the ex-Sunderland man, who has 18 months remaining on his contract at The Hawthorns.

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For their part, the Baggies are very much in the hunt for a play-off spot this season, and currently sit sixth in the table, with 40 points from their opening 26 matches. At the time of writing, they remain managerless following Carlos Corberan’s departure in December, but are understood to be closing in on the appointment of Raphael Wicky, who was previously linked with Sunderland prior to the arrival of Regis Le Bris on Wearside.

As for Maja, the striker is a graduate of the Black Cats’ academy system, having previously spent part of his youth career with Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Manchester City. After making the step up to the first team at the Stadium of Light, he scored 17 goals across 49 senior appearances, before sealing a permanent switch to French outfit Bordeaux.

Maja would go on to score 29 times in 93 outings on the continent, and enjoyed subsequent loan stints with Fulham and Stoke City. In August 2023, he completed a free transfer to West Brom, where he has recorded 13 goals across 38 appearances in total.

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The £12.5million Premier League transfer deal will likely have ramifications for Sunderland during the window

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Tottenham Hotspur have announced the £12.5million signing of goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

Spurs have serious issues in goal with first-choice Guglielmo Vicario injured and Fraser Forster among those who have caught a sickness bug. Kinksy has kept 12 clean sheets in the Czech First League across 19 league appearances for Slavia Prague this campaign, with the club top of their domestic league, but has now made the move to the Premier League club after undergoing a medical over the weekend.

Spurs had been linked with a move for Sunderland’s number one goalkeeper Anthony Patterson repeatedly during recent windows, with the Black Cats fighting hard at the top end of the Championship. The 24-year-old has caught the eye of several clubs higher up the food chain, including Tottenham.

However, with Kinsky’s £12.5million move to Spurs now complete, it is unlikely that the Premier League outfit will continue their interest in Patterson, which hadn’t yet materialised into anything concrete in terms of formal bids. Patterson started for Règis Le Bris’ side last weekend as Sunderland defeated Portsmouth to move three points away from the automatic spots and 11 points clear of seventh place.

Patterson has established himself as a key first-team presence for his boyhood club in recent seasons and has featured in all but four of the Black Cats’ Championship outings so far this term. However, for his part, the player is uninterested in the noise.

When asked by The Echo whether he was aware of the transfer interest after the Sheffield United game, Patterson said: “No, like I always say, I'm a Sunderland player and I'm concentrating on this season and getting to Sunderland where they belong really.”

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Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson has been the subject of widespread speculation in recent weeks

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Sunderland could be in line to receive a notable boost in their efforts to keep first choice goalkeeper Anthony Patterson this month, with reports suggesting that long-term admirers Tottenham Hotspur could instead focus their attention on signing Wolves stopper Sam Johnstone.

Patterson has established himself as a key presence on Wearside in recent seasons, and remains the Black Cats’ undisputed number one between the sticks. Indeed, he has already racked up 21 appearances in the Championship this term, with his only absences enforced by a brief spell of injury.

The 24-year-old’s performances have been enough to catch the eye of high-profile suitors too, with the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United both credited with interest in recent times. But according to a fresh update, at least one of those clubs may look to bring in a goalkeeper from elsewhere this month.

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As per TBR Football, Spurs are exploring the prospect of a loan deal for aforementioned Wolves talent Johnstone this January, with view to providing competition for Fraser Forster, who is currently deputising for the injured Guglielmo Vicario. For his part, the Molineux star has lost his starting role to Jose Sa in recent weeks, and is understood to be open to the idea of leaving his current employers in an effort to secure more frequent first team opportunities elsewhere. A temporary agreement could, therefore, suit all parties.

And from a Sunderland perspective, Spurs recruiting Johnstone over the coming weeks would almost certainly bring to an end any chances of the North London club making a significant bid for Patterson this winter as well. One complicating factor, however, is that Wolves have also been linked with the Black Cats academy graduate of late, and would presumably be on the lookout for goalkeeping reinforcements of their own, were Johnstone to depart between now and the end of the month.

As for Patterson himself, the goalkeeper has sought to play down any talk of his potential exit from the Stadium of Light. Speaking after his penalty-saving heroics against Sheffield United in midweek, when asked about speculation surrounding his future, he said: “Like I always say, I'm a Sunderland player and I'm concentrating on this season and getting to Sunderland where they belong really.”

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Anthony Patterson delivered a straight-to-the-point answer when asked about the transfer stories surrounding him

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Anthony Patterson says he is concentrating on playing for Sunderland amid transfer interest from Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur.

The 24-year-old has established himself as a key first-team presence for his boyhood club in recent seasons and has featured in all but four of the Black Cats’ Championship outings so far this term. The goalkeeper’s long-term good form has reportedly caught the eye of Premier League clubs Wolves, Tottenham and Manchester United.

Indeed, Patterson saved Kieffer Moore’s penalty against Sheffield United on New Year’s Day live on Sky Sports in another boost to his profile just two days after fresh reports emerged linking the homegrown stopper with a transfer move away from the Stadium of Light during the winter window. However, for his part, Patterson is uninterested in the noise.

When asked by The Echo whether he was aware of the transfer interest after the Sheffield United game, Patterson said: “No, like I always say, I'm a Sunderland player and I'm concentrating on this season and getting to Sunderland where they belong really.”

Patterson forms part of a tight goalkeeping group at the Academy of Light along with second and third-choice stoppers Simon Moore and Blondy Nna Noukeu. The trio works under goalkeeping Alessandro Barcherini, who has been credited with helping Patterson’s career progress.

"Yeah, Ali's brilliant,” Patterson told The Echo when asked about Barcherini. “His sessions every day are top and then the analysis he puts in for us goalkeepers and everyone around is really good and it doesn't go unnoticed.”

He added: “Obviously Si (Simon Moore) is really experienced. He's helped me a lot the past six months or so and I think we've got a really good group with Blondy in there as well and obviously Ali. We're all really close and we get on really well, so it's good.”

Sunderland are next in action against Portsmouth in the Championship at the Stadium of Light on Sunday with Patterson hoping his team can build on the win against Sheffield United.

“They're a good side and we'll have a look over the next couple of days of what their threats are going to be and hopefully we can get the three points at home again,” Patterson concluded.

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Sunderland star Anthony Patterson continues to be a man in demand this winter

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Manchester United are the latest club to consider a January swoop for Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, according to reports.

The Black Cats stopper has been in impressive form this season, and has established himself as a key presence on Wearside in recent times. Aside from a short period of injury earlier in the campaign, the 24-year-old has been a virtual ever-present for his boyhood club since breaking into the first team picture, and has 137 senior appearances to his name at the time of writing.

Indeed, Patterson’s recent performances have been enough to attract the attention of a number of mooted suitors. According to various reports, Tottenham Hotspur are considering a January swoop for the Sunderland star following a long-term injury to usual number one Guglielmo Vicario, while the likes of Liverpool and Crystal Palace have also previously been mentioned as admirers.

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But as per an update from the Daily Mail, Spurs could face competition for Patterson’s services this winter from fellow Premier League giants United. It is suggested that the Red Devils are considering a reshuffle of their goalkeeping options in January, with current understudy Altay Bayindir facing the exit from Old Trafford, and third choice Tom Heaton turning 39 in April.

As a consequence, United could be in the market for another alternative in the new year, and have supposedly earmarked Patterson as a possible target. It is also understood that the Red Devils continue to hold an interest in fellow Sunderland academy graduate Chris Rigg.

For their part, the Black Cats also have Simon Moore and Blondy Nna Noukeu on their books as senior goalkeeping options, while teenage talent Matty Young has caught the eye during the fledgling stages of his loan stint with League Two outfit Salford City. Whether any of that trio would be deemed immediate replacements for Patterson in the event of a January departure, however, remains to be seen.

To that end, a report from talkSPORT has claimed that Sunderland are eyeing up a goalkeeping swoop for their own, with Wigan Athletic prospect Sam Tickle on their radar. The England U21 international joined the Latics’ youth academy in 2012, but was released at the end of the 2017/18 campaign before managing to earn a scholarship at the Brick Community Stadium just a year later following a stint with non-league side Pilkington.

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Tottenham Hotspur are said to have one of Sunderland’s players on their radar

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Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur are keeping tabs on Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson as a possible ‘emergency signing’ after a serious injury to first-choice number one Guglielmo Vicario - according to reports.

Vicario has undergone ankle surgery after picking up the injury in Spurs’ 4-0 victory over Manchester City. It was revealed earlier this week that the player would be facing months out. Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou said of the injury and the possible timeframe for a return: "I guess it was a bit of a shock, first of all. We saw he'd picked up the injury during the game. We saw him at half time, but there was no doubt about him continuing. You digest that and then, post-game, he was sore but, you're kind of like, he's just played 60 minutes with a sore ankle, but we'll tape it up and go again.

"Externally people now realise, it's a testament to him as a person. He's as tough as nails and tough as they come. The fact that he played at that level for 60 minutes with a fractured ankle was quite outstanding. The shock of it wears off and then you have to process that he's going to be missing for a while. Knowing him, he'll push the limits of how long that is. Also, knowing him, you'll get daily updates about that on his Instagram! It's a big blow, and for him personally, because he was having an outstanding season for us and really growing as a leader within the group but we've dealt with setbacks before and we'll deal with this one.

"It's not going to be weeks. It'll be months. He's had his surgery and, you know with surgery, there's certain timelines and because it's Vic... I don't like giving timelines so early in the process as something like that as it puts undue pressure on the player and some expectations. I think once we're past the rehab stage and he starts getting out (onto the training pitch), we'll have a clearer idea."

The blow has saw Spurs turn to the transfer market as they weigh up their options. According to the Sun, Patterson is one of the players they are considering while Burnley stopper James Trafford is another potential option. A number of Premier League clubs have been linked with Patterson this year, including Liverpool and Manchester United. Promotion rivals Sheffield United have also been credited with an interest along with Celtic and Crystal Palace.

Sunderland are said to rate the England Under-21 international at £20m with that fee already made known to other interested clubs. Patterson has been Sunderland’s number one since midway through the club’s final season in League One after he was brought in to replace Ron-Thorben Hoffmann under Alex Neil. He has played 14 Championship fixtures this term, missing four through injury.

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Sunderland pair Chris Rigg and Tommy Watson were being monitored at The Den this weekend

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Tottenham Hotspur had scouts in attendance to watch Sunderland duo Chris Rigg and Tommy Watson during the Black Cats’ 1-1 draw with Millwall on Saturday afternoon, according to reports.

The academy graduate duo both started for Regis Le Bris’ beleaguered side at The Den as the hosts struck late to cancel out Aaron Connolly’s first half opener. Rigg in particular has made a notable mark on the Championship this season, and has subsequently been linked with a whole host of high profile English and continental suitors.

It would appear that Watson is beginning to turn heads too, however. As per TBR Football, both teenage talents were under close inspection from Spurs at the weekend - with a handful of other London-based Premier League clubs said to be monitoring the winger specifically.

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Alongside Tottenham, Crystal Palace and West Ham are also credited with an interest in Watson, who was previously the subject of a late bid from Brighton and Hove Albion during the summer transfer window. As for Rigg, it is claimed that Spurs’ bitter rivals Arsenal were watching him against Millwall as well, while Palace, West Ham, and Brentford are all name-checked as admirers too. Various other reports in recent weeks have touted interest from the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool, among others.

In a recent interview, Sunderland head coach Le Bris expressed his belief that Rigg - as well as fellow in-demand teammate Jobe Bellingham - has what it takes to one day ply his trade in the upper echelons of the continental game.

He said: “The players are good - very good. I have worked with many, many players that have worked at the highest level. It is always a question of potential. We think that they could play at the highest level, Premier League or Champions League. But the question between the potential and reality is down to the pathway.

“I don’t think you can assess the reality of the size of Sunderland before being at Sunderland. I’m very confident for them but it’s still fragile. Yet their behaviours, for example Jobe, Riggy and other players, it’s very interesting their potential and qualities and the way they are managing this relationship with the game.

“If you can keep this relationship with the game then you can exploit your potential. If the environment around the football becomes more important then it will be more difficult. I’m just a part of their journey, really. If I can help them to grow, and if they can help us to grow as a club, then that’s a good connection. So we’ll have to see for the future.”

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Here, we round-up all the latest headlines that have emerged from St James’ Park and beyond:

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Newcastle United linked with shock transfer

Newcastle United have been linked with a shock move for former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba. Pogba was handed a four-year ban for a doping offence back in February, one that was later reduced to 18-months.

The terms of the ban mean the midfielder is eligible to return to football in January and after agreeing a mutual termination of his contract with Juventus last week, he is a free agent. With the January transfer window approaching, Pogba, who helped France lift the 2018 World Cup, has been linked with a sensational return to the Premier League with Newcastle United and West Ham, according to Fichajes, interested in a move.

Spurs star handed huge ban by FA

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been fined £100,000 and handed a seven-match ban by the FA after using a racial slur about teammate Son Heung-min whilst appearing on TV in Uruguay back in June. A statement by the FA read: ‘An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.

‘It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute. It was further alleged that this constitutes an “aggravated breach”, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

‘Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing.’

Bentancur will now be unable to play in any of Spurs’ next seven domestic matches, but is available to be selected in the Europa League. The Uruguayan will not play again in the Premier League until Spurs’ trip to the City Ground on Boxing Day.

However, that does mean that he will be available for their clash with Wolves on December 29 and their first match of 2025 which will come against Newcastle United on January 4.

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A former Sunderland winger has reflected on the snubs he received from a number of Premier League clubs earlier in his career.

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Former Sunderland loan signing Antoine Semenyo has reflected on coping with rejection from several clubs before embarking on a professional career with Bristol City.

The 21-times capped Ghana international was finally offered a deal with the academy system at the Ashton Gate club after spending time on trial with Premier League quartet Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Championship club Millwall. After earning senior experience with non-league club Bath City and League Two side Newport County, Semenyo joined Sunderland for the second half of the 2019/20 season. However, the Black Cats missed out on a place in the League One play-offs after the Covid-19 pandemic brought a premature end to the season and the final league standings were calculated on a points-per-game basis.

However, Semenyo’s involvement in the unsuccessful push for the top six was limited to just six substitute appearances and a solitary start, which came in a 2-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers on what proved to be the final day of the season. He returned to Bristol City and gradually worked his way into the Robins side over the following seasons to become one of the most dangerous wide players in the Championship. After scoring a total of 21 goals and providing 21 assists in 125 appearances in all competitions, Semenyo secured a first move into the Premier League with Bournemouth after the Cherries agreed a fee believed to be in excess of £10m during the January 2023 transfer window. After a slow start to life at the Vitality Stadium, Semenyo clicked into gear last season as he scored eight goals and provided two assists in 36 appearances and he has taken that momentum into the current campaign.

His performances over the first three months of the season have led to speculation over a possible move to the likes of Newcastle United and, ironically, Arsenal and Spurs, two of the clubs that rejected him as a youngster. In a recent interview, Semenyo has reflected on the path his career has taken since he was rejected following trial periods in his teens and revealed the experience still motivates his to this day.

"As a 15- or 16-year-old, you don't know how to cope with your emotions - being so high, being so upset all the time," Semenyo told Football Focus. “I did have a lot of doubts but I had positive parents. They always told me life's not always going to be roses. They are all experiences that you have to go through. But it’s definitely helped me and motivated me to this day."