Poland goalkeeper Marcin Bulka(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Poland international Marcin Bulka has confirmed Sunderland made an offer to sign him during the summer transfer window.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper was speaking to Foot Truck about [Sunderland](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/sunderland)’s approach and Meczyki.pl relayed his comments.
Sunderland and others lost out to Neom SC, who completed the goalkeeper’s signing from OGC Nice in July.
Not that they will be too concerned about that given the tremendous form of Robin Roefs who has proved to be one of the best stoppers in the Premier League in his debut season.
Prior to his move to Saudi Arabia, L’Equipe reported the Black Cats had tabled a bid for Bulka as Sunderland director of football Florent Ghisolfi knew the player well from his time at the Ligue 1 side.
AC Milan and Galatasaray were also credited with interest. The stopper has confirmed the those approaches to sign him. When discussing Milan, he mentioned Régis Le Bris’ side.
Pressure from the Middle East and financial temptation convinced him to pick Neom SC. “If there were any other offers, I might consider them,” he said.
"I had an offer from Sunderland. There were talks with Milan and Galatasaray. They said there would be no transfer if Maignan didn’t leave.
“But I couldn’t wait. They told me in Saudi Arabia: ‘Marcin, you’re our No 1, but in three days 10 goalkeepers could come here for half that amount’.
“That’s how it is. In football, what’s certain today, is gone tomorrow.
“I wanted to stay in Nice and fulfil my contract there. It was one of many options.
“It’s good that it didn’t happen, because now I’m injured and life could have turned out differently. At my current club, I earn over 12 times more than at Nice. And I’m not saying I didn’t earn much in France.”
An earlier report from Meczyki.pl suggested Bułka earns €10m per year at Neom.
Sunderland signed Roefs from NEC Nijmegen for around €10.5m in August and will be delighted with how things worked out. The shotstopper has already been nominated for awards since his move to the Premier League.
Roefs is now valued at more than £30million following his outstanding start to life in England.