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PATT ON THE BACK
Sheffield United prepare to raid Championship rival for transfer of £8m-rated goalkeeper after Premier League relegation
They are also eyeing an out of contract defender
SHEFFIELD UNITED are planning an ambitious bid for Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson.
The Blades will offer around £8million for Patterson, 24.
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Chris Wilder wants a new No 1 as Wes Foderingham is out of contract and Ivo Grbic has failed to shine.
Patterson has four years remaining on his deal at the Stadium of Light after signing an extension in September.
The keeper missed just one league match as the Black Cats finished 16th in the Championship last season.
He also kept 13 clean sheets for Sunderland, the joint-fourth highest in the league.
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In contrast, Wilder's side set an unwanted record in their latest Premier League defeat.
Sheffield United, who are already relegated, were beaten 1-0 at Everton on Saturday.
Abdoulaye Doucoure's goal was the 101st conceded by the Blades this season.
They are the first club to concede 101 or more goals in a single campaign, surpassing Swindon's 100-goal tally from the 1993/94 season.
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It could still increase, though, with Tottenham the visitors to Bramall Lane on the final day next weekend.
Meanwhile, Blades and Middlesbrough are both trying to entice defender Luke Ayling, 32, to join.
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The Leeds full-back, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Boro, is out of contract this summer.
He provided eight assists in 19 appearances during his spell at the Riverside Stadium.
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