Chelsea ‘to accelerate’ interest in £50m-rated Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs before summer window | OneFootball

Chelsea are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs before the summer window after his standout Premier League campaign.

Football Insider reports that Chelsea are accelerating a move as they prioritise recruiting a goalkeeper who could grow into their long-term number one, with Roefs under serious consideration.

The 23-year-old has shone since joining from NEC Nijmegen last summer, and Liverpool and Manchester City are said to be tracking him. Sunderland value Roefs at about £50 million and are preparing for possible bids if interest escalates.

Roefs came through NEC’s academy, broke into the senior side in 2023-24 and became first choice the following season. He made the Eredivisie Team of the Month in March and May 2025 as NEC finished eighth.

Since arriving on Wearside in August 2025, he has displaced Anthony Patterson and become central to Régis Le Bris’ team. He has eight clean sheets in 28 league games, conceding 34, with a 71.4 per cent save rate among the division’s best. Only Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez are higher this season.

Sunderland are under no financial pressure to sell, and Roefs signed a long-term contract when he joined last summer.

Source: Sunderland Echo