Sunderland could be offered a Chelsea player in part-exchange for a Black Cats star as Liam Rosenior's side look to reduce his price, according to a new report.
Sunderland's rumoured transfer plans ahead of the summer
Sunderland's first Premier League season back in the big time has actually established them as one of the more attractive clubs, and the transfer planning around the Stadium of Light reflects that.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris
While a few of their players are understandably drawing interest from bigger clubs, Régis Le Bris and Florent Ghisolfi are understood to be working on their own summer recruitment plans.
Man United have been monitoring midfielder Noah Sadiki (TEAMtalk), who has caught the eye of several top-flight clubs with his performances this season.
Borussia Mönchengladbach have also reportedly made contact regarding Dan Neil, the 24-year-old who has been one of Sunderland's more consistent performers in the centre of the pitch.
On the incoming front, Sunderland are making a push to sign Fulham winger Harry Wilson, whose contract situation at Craven Cottage remains unresolved, while the club has been linked with a move for Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara.
blackburn-rovers-ewood-park Related
[Sunderland join race for "big" Blackburn Rovers player wanted by Newcastle and Everton](https://www.footballfancast.com/sunderland-transfers-blackburn-rovers-rewcastle-everton-tom-atcheson/ "Sunderland join race for "big" Blackburn Rovers player wanted by Newcastle and Everton")
Regis Le Bris' side are admirers.
Even the likes of Marcos Senesi, who is poised to become one of this summer's most valuable defensive free agents, have attracted Sunderland's interest as Le Bris' side shoot high.
Another emerging story surrounding the club, however, involves their goalkeeper — and a potential deal that carries significant structural complexity.
Sunderland could be offered Mike Penders by Chelsea in Robin Roefs exchange
Robin Roefs has been one of the standout goalkeepers in the Premier League in his debut season, keeping nine clean sheets in 30 appearances before an injury ruled him out of Sunderland's last four fixtures.
Robin-Roefs
The 23-year-old Dutch stopper arrived from NEC Nijmegen for around £9m last summer, and is contracted until 2030, giving Sunderland a strong negotiating position.
Chelsea have registered strong interest in Roefs, with reports indicating they are assessing whether to pay up to £60m to bring him to Stamford Bridge this summer, while Liverpool and Man City are also monitoring the situation.
Now, according to French outlet Jeunesfooteux, citing journalist Sébastien Vidal, Chelsea are considering a figure of around £58m for Roefs — and the deal could involve a player going in the opposite direction.
The report suggests that Mike Penders, Chelsea's 20-year-old Belgian goalkeeper currently on loan at Strasbourg in Ligue 1, could be offered as part of the package to bring the overall fee down.
Strasbourg's Mike Penders celebrates after Samir El Mourabet scores their second goal
Penders was signed from Genk and has been considered the frontrunner to become Chelsea's eventual first-choice goalkeeper, having impressed at Strasbourg under Rosenior when he was in charge of the French side.
The logic of using Penders in a deal is straightforward: if Chelsea commit £58m to Roefs as their number one, there is no longer a clear pathway to first-team football for the young Belgian at Stamford Bridge.
The French report notes that Strasbourg are keeping a close eye on the situation. The Ligue 1 club have been keen to extend Penders' loan and would welcome another season with him, making a part-exchange scenario with Sunderland one of several possible outcomes depending on how negotiations develop.
For Sunderland, the decision is not straightforward.
robin-roefs-sunderland
Roefs has been central to their debut Premier League campaign, and replacing a goalkeeper of his quality carries risk.
Whether the 'excellent' Penders — talented but unproven at the highest level — would represent adequate compensation alongside a cash element remains to be seen.
darren-bent-sunderland Related
His value has risen 200%: Le Bris could cash in on Sunderland's new Bent
The Sunderland boss has already made some ruthless decisions.