Millwall, Wrexham, and Wolverhampton Wanderers are anticipated to compete for Championship promotion next season, with some of the same targets likely to be pursued in the transfer market.

Of course, there are others in what appears to be a challenging Championship roster next season, but Wrexham, Millwall, and Wolverhampton Wanderers are all expected to be among the major promotion contenders in the Championship next season, albeit for different reasons.

Wrexham’s amazing rise through the divisions has been fueled by tremendous investment and ambition, providing them with the means to strengthen even more and continue their upward trajectory. Millwall will also be buoyed after finishing third and narrowly losing out on promotion in the play-off semi-finals against Hull.

Both have previously demonstrated that they have a squad capable of battling at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Wolves arrive as a newly relegated Premier League club with more financial resources than the majority of their rivals. All three clubs have solid foundations and realistic goals of competing for a slot in the top eight, if not automatic promotion.

However, this is why they will all be hunting for comparable targets in some areas, with a Sunderland ace already appearing to be someone they are all interested in.

Anthony Patterson’s interest intensifies as Wrexham and Wolves enter the race.

Millwall and Hull City have already expressed interest in Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who appeared 16 times for the Lions during the 2025/26 season on loan from the Black Cats.

The 26-year-old has two years left on his contract at the Stadium of Light, but has slid down the pecking order due to Robin Roefs’ form since joining in the summer of 2025. Patterson had two promotions with Sunderland and was considering another with Millwall.

Patterson has been connected with Coventry City, Derby County, Southampton, and West Brom following Millwall’s season-ending 2-0 loss at the Den. In 16 games, he maintained seven clean sheets and conceded only 14 goals.

Keith Downie of Sky Sports has the latest on the goalkeeper’s future, with rival Championship clubs after the £8 million-rated star. He believes Sunderland would listen to proposals now that Melker Ellborg has been appointed as Roefs’ deputy.

Downie claims that Wolves, Wrexham, and Millwall are among the Championship clubs interested in the 26-year-old, and that Scottish giants Rangers have considered a transfer, but the £8 million price tag is prohibitive.

Anthony Patterson has a lot of championship experience for his age.

Patterson should be a goalkeeper of great interest to ambitious Championship clubs that can afford his fee. It comes as no surprise that Wrexham, Millwall, and Wolves are among the clubs that can. The Lions have dealt effectively in recent years, allowing them to spend significant money on players.

Despite his youth, Patterson has extensive experience as a goalkeeper, having appeared in 23 League One games and 154 in the Championship. That level of experience in the second tier is tough to find in a guy with many years ahead of him.

As previously said, he has experience with promotion battles, play-off campaigns, and the strains of a long Championship season, making him an appealing alternative for clubs looking to enter the Premier League. Patterson has significant experience in this league with long-term potential.

It makes him a viable recruitment target for teams looking for steadiness between the posts. However, some teams may need to sell or relocate goalkeepers before making a deal for Patterson, thus it is unclear which club is currently leading the race.