Sunderland are looking to secure the signature of Bolton Wanderers keeper Ben Alnwick this summer. According to recent reports, the Black Cats are ready to pounce on the English shot-stopper’s signature when his contract runs out at the end of the season.
The Tyneside outfit has conceded a massive 69 goals in 39 league matches during the course of this campaign and are in dire need of a new goalkeeper who can take up the shot-stopping duties at the Stadium of Light. It is believed that Sunderland boss Chris Coleman is on the lookout for a new goalkeeper during the summer transfer period and Alnwich fits the bill perfectly.
Alnwick has been a regular feature for Bolton this season and has put in some solid performances in goal for the Wanderers which has caught the attention of the Black Cats. The 31-year-old has made 33 appearances for Bolton in this campaign, shipping in 46 goals while keeping 8 shutouts. He has previously played for the Black Cats before his switch to Tottenham Hotspur early on in his career and now, it looks like he is set to make a return to the Stadium of Light in the off-season.
Sunderland are currently in deep trouble of being relegated to League One at the end of the campaign. The Black Cats are languishing in the 23rd position in the Skybet Championship standings and are in need to pick up some victories in these final few game weeks to have any chance of saving their second-tier lives for another season. They are still 7 points adrift of safety but Chris Coleman’s side still has plenty of points to play for.
The addition of Alnwick will undoubtedly bolster Coleman’s goalkeeping options ahead of the new campaign. Sunderland have the likes of Robbin Ruiter, Jason Steele and Lee Camp vying for a place in Coleman’s starting eleven but none of them has been consistent enough to justify their place in the first-team. Hence, the potential signing of Alnwick will not only be an upgrade over their current goalkeeping options but also, add more competition for places in the Black Cats squad.
At 31, he still has a lot of years left in him to play at a high level which the Black Cats could look to utilise in the coming years. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Alnwick and whether he ends up making a move to Tyneside this summer.
