Man Utd eye Napoli star and £20m Sunderland ace ahead of January transfer window

Man Utd are keeping tabs on Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United are interested in deals for Napoli’s Alex Meret and Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson, according to fresh transfer reports.

Both goalkeepers are on United’s radar amid speculation that their current back-up Altay Bayindir wants to leave Old Trafford to get more game time.

Meret, 27, is out of contract at the end of the season and United are hoping they can snap him up on a free transfer, Florian Plettenberg has reported.

The football transfer expert, based in Germany, adds that Inter Milan are also keen on Meret with United facing a battle to secure his signature.

Sunderland ‘keeper Patterson, who is thought to be valued at £20m, is another option the Red Devils are considering, according to the Daily Mail.

Unlike Meret, United would look to sign Patterson in the January transfer window, but they are not the only club linked to the 24-year-old.

Tottenham are also believed to be interested in a deal for the Sunderland star, which could drive his price up if a bidding war takes place.

Tottenham are also keen on a move for Anthony Patterson (Picture: Getty)

Patterson has been in fine form this season as he looks to help Championship side Sunderland earn promotion to the Premier League.

The Black Cats currently sit fourth in the second tier of English football, three points off the automatic promotion spots after 18 games played.

Patterson has spent his entire career at Sunderland, having progressed through their youth academy, although he was loaned to Notts County in the 2021-22 season.

He was crowned North East Football Writers’ Association Young Player of the Year in 2022.

Meret, meanwhile, capped three times by Italy, has been with Napoli since 2018 after joining the club from fellow Serie A side Udinese.

He helped Napoli end their long, 33-year wait to clinch the Italian top-flight title in 2023 under Luciano Spalletti.