Millwall Set Sights on Promotion-Winning Keeper

Millwall Set to Address Goalkeeper Issues with Premier League Backup

With a long-term injury to number one keeper Lukas Jensen, and with the underperforming Steven Benda recalled by Fulham after failing to impress in his 11 appearances for the club, Millwall are once again searching for a reliable option between the sticks.

Though New Zealand international Max Crocombe has impressed since stepping in for Benda, his inability to play out from the back has at times hurt the Lions, who are now looking for a shot-stopper who is also more than capable with the ball at his feet.

Millwall want to raid Sunderland for out of favour goalkeeper Anthony Patterson - but they may need some extra help from the Black Cats to make that happen🦁

Read more 👇 https://t.co/Glc7xELgwW#SAFC #MillwallFC

— Football League World (@FootballLeagueW) January 18, 2026

Their search has led them to Sunderland stopper Anthony Patterson, who, since the arrival of Robin Roefs in the summer, has been relegated from number one to benchwarmer.

A Smart Move

With Dutchman Roefs arguably one of the Premier League signings of the season, it has been hard for Patterson to get a whiff of the first team - in fact, he has played just one match this campaign, a Carabao Cup clash with Huddersfield Town that eventually saw the Black Cats lose in a shootout.

It is a far cry from last season, where the Englishman played all but one Championship game, and played a vital role in getting Sunderland promoted, including an excellent showing against Sheffield United in their victorious play-off final clash.

Undoubtedly a talented goalkeeper, Patterson has suffered the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, as when Roefs was brought in, many expected him to play backup to Patterson, as opposed to the other way around.

However, despite the fact that Patterson would be leaving a massively overachieving Sunderland side, Millwall presents a high-flying project of their own.

The Lions sit a remarkable fourth in the Championship despite being the only club in the top 10 with a negative goal difference, and the lowest goals scored tally in the top 15. A side founded on counter-attacking excellence and stoic defence, Patterson would lend the backline an extra layer of security.

His shot-stopping was shown to be excellent as he helped Sunderland to the Premier League last season, while his distribution means that playing out from the back now becomes a viable tactic for Alex Neil’s side.

However, a move for Patterson won’t come cheap. His market value of £13 million means a permanent transfer is out of the question, while his Premier League-level salary is also out of Millwall’s reach.

Millwall are trying to sort out a loan deal with Sunderland for keeper Anthony Patterson - but will need the move to be subsidised.

The Lions are keen on Patterson but can’t reach his full Premier League salary so they will need the Black Cats to accept less than that.… pic.twitter.com/mFSLtueYAu

— Sunderland AFC News And Banter Page (@sunderlandafc11) January 18, 2026

With a loan move the most likely outcome, it is being reported that the Lions would require Sunderland to accept an offer that would see them pay less than Patterson’s full wage, with the Black Cats covering the remainder.

The keeper would be a serious coup for Millwall, but a coup often comes with a hefty price to pay - Leicester City, Southampton, QPR and Rangers have also shown interest in him over the last month, and while Millwall are the current front-runners, a player with so many clubs interested in him makes a move hard to predict.