'Love to see' - West Brom hero pinpoints transfer desire but warns of rival
Sunderland promotion star has been linked with the Baggies on several occasions.
Albion hero Kevin Phillips has backed a raid of his former club Sunderland for goalkeeper Anthony Patterson - but warned there will be competition.
Black Cats academy graduate Patterson, 26, is regarded as one of the finest shot-stoppers at Championship level and was instrumental in his side’s play-off promotion 12 months ago.
But Patterson lost his place as No.1 and was loaned to second-tier high-flyers Millwall in January.
Albion are long-term admirers and believed to be looking at options between the sticks this summer despite a deal being offered to Max O’Leary and Josh Griffiths on the books.
Pundit Phillips believes the Lions could be frontrunners. He told BestBettingSites: “I think Millwall might have something to say about that, because I gather they would like to keep hold of him.
“Listen, he's done brilliantly, Anthony Patterson. It's been tough on him getting promoted to the Premier League and being loaned out.
“But he showed good character, good mental strength to go to Millwall and play exceptionally well.
“He's a quality keeper. Any team that gets his services next year has done brilliant business.”
Patterson played 16 times for Millwall, including in the play-off semi-final defeat to Hull, in the second half of the campaign after a solitary EFL Cup outing for parent club Sunderland in August.
He kept seven clean sheets in that period after the Lions won the race for his signature.
Phillips reckons his former team-mate James Morrison could be an ideal head coach for the keeper.
Phillips added: “From a selfish point of view, with my connections at West Brom, I'd love to see him there.
“I think James Morrison would get the best out of him or get even more out of him because he's the type of guy that you want to play for.
“So if they can secure his services, it'd be a great, great signing for them. But as I say, I think Millwall might have something to say about that.”
Phillips was speaking to BestBettingSites in his weekly column.
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