Patrick van Aanholt set for Sunderland switch?

We knew Patrick van Aanholt wasn't coming back to Chelsea, but now we have an idea of where he might end up: Sunderland. Jim White of Sky Sports is claiming that the young left back is having a medical with the Black Cats today and will join their pre-season tour of Portugal this week:

Quick update on Patrick van Aanholt - having a late-night medical and should fly out with #SAFC squad to Portugal tomorrow.

— Jim White (@JimWhite) July 24, 2014

Although a loan is possible, a permanent deal seems far morely likely, and van Aanholt's probably valuable enough to command a reasonably significant (that is, at least a couple of million) transfer fee. I have to say I'm disappointed by the transfer -- I'd rather have him backing up Filipe Luis at left back than using Nathan Ake out of position, and I think van Aanholt might actually end up being a solid Premier League player.

As to whether the report is true or not, the Sunderland Echo has just quoted manager Gus Poyet as saying, "I think there will be at least one in by tomorrow and I hope at the weekend we can have three in," which would seem to imply that there's some truth to this idea of a move in the offing, even if it's pretty circumstantial.

Anyway, it hasn't worked out for van Aanholt at Chelsea, but he's got a long and pretty bright career ahead of him, so good luck, Patrick. If you end up at Sunderland, we'll be seeing you around.