Chelsea are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs following his impressive Premier League campaign
Chelsea are reportedly stepping up their interest in Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to a report from Football Insider, the Stamford Bridge club are accelerating what has been described as a “concrete” pursuit of the Dutch goalkeeper as they look to strengthen their options between the posts. Chelsea’s recruitment team are said to be prioritising the addition of a new goalkeeper capable of developing into their long-term number one, with Roefs emerging as a serious candidate following his impressive debut campaign in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding season since joining Sunderland from NEC Nijmegen last summer and is understood to have caught the attention of several elite clubs. Football Insider claim that both Liverpool and Manchester City are also monitoring the goalkeeper’s progress. The report adds that Sunderland value Roefs at around £50million and are braced for potential offers should interest intensify in the coming months.
Roefs arrived on Wearside in August 2025 after establishing himself as NEC Nijmegen’s first-choice goalkeeper in the Eredivisie. Having come through the Dutch club’s academy, he broke into the senior side during the 2023-24 campaign before becoming their undisputed number one the following season. His performances earned recognition in the Netherlands, including inclusion in the Eredivisie Team of the Month in both March and May 2025 as NEC finished eighth in the table.
Since moving to Sunderland, Roefs has quickly established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, displacing Anthony Patterson and becoming a key figure in Régis Le Bris’ side. The Dutchman has impressed during Sunderland’s first season back in the Premier League, keeping eight clean sheets in 28 appearances while conceding 34 goals. His performances have also been reflected in the statistics, with a save percentage of 71.4 per cent - currently among the highest in the division.
Only Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez have posted higher save percentages this season. Given his age and rapid development, Roefs is widely regarded as a goalkeeper with significant potential still to come, though there is no financial pressure on Sunderland to sell the goalkeeper. He also signed a long-term deal when he joined the club last summer.
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