Sun reporter Alan Nixon has claimed on his Patreon channel (31/08) that Tony Mowbray is looking into a potential move to bring free agent Vito Mannone back to Sunderland – five years after he left the club in 2017.
Mannone, 34, is a free agent after leaving French side Monaco this summer where he played 11 times in two years. The Italian goalkeeper clocked up 80 appearances while at Sunderland, joining in 2013, and then leaving in 2017.
Since then, he has been on the books at Reading before joining Monaco in 2020. He has also been on loan at Danish side Esbjerg during his spell at the Madjeski Stadium. Now, he finds himself without a club and Mowbray is keen.
Nixon reports that he wants an experienced goalkeeper to provide competition. No.1 Anthony Patterson is only 22, while his cover in Alex Bass is just 24. Sunderland could do with an elder goalkeeper to help improve the young duo.
Step forward Mannone. It would be a dramatic return for the ex-Arsenal goalkeeper, who is still well-liked at the Stadium of Light. A move for Mannone will not be constrained to Thursday’s deadline, given he is a free agent.
Mowbray is looking to bring free agent Mannone back to Sunderland
What a stunning move, this one would be. Sunderland have already pulled off a superb addition in Edouard Michut on Wednesday. The France Under-19 international has agreed a loan-to-buy deal worth £4.3m, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Amad Diallo is also set to join on loan from Manchester United, after a poor spell with Rangers. Mowbray is wasting no time in looking to bring in a number of new players – although, Michut was linked prior to him replacing Alex Neil.
But Mowbray has made a smart decision in looking to sign a more-experienced goalkeeper. Mannone fits the bill. Easily signed, knows the club well, and his stature and knowledge will help improve Patterson, and Bass.
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