Online Reporter
SUNDERLAND keeper Robin Roefs is wanted by Chelsea and Liverpool this summer.
The 23-year-old has made a huge impression in his first Premier League season following his £9 million move from NEC Nijmegen.
Now the Dutch Under- 21 international who has also been called up into the senior squad by manager Ronald Koeman is valued at least five times that at around £50 million.
But that hasn’t put off Chelsea and Liverpool who have question marks over their current number ones, Robert Sanchez and Alisson Becker.
Sanchez has blown hot and cold in Chelsea’s traumatic season while Alisson is wanted by a number of Italian clubs including Juventus.
Liverpool deputy Giorgi Mamardashvili has yet to convince that he is capable of succeeding the Brazilian star on a regular basis.
Roefs has been instrumental in Sunderland easily maintaining their Premier League status following their promotion from the Championship.
He has earned rave reviews but that has also alerted the big guns with Chelsea and Liverpool both believed to be preparing bids for the talented keeper.
If accepted, it would see Sunderland make a huge profit on the player they plucked from the Dutch League in July.
And with former Liverpool favourite Xabi Alonso closing in on the Chelsea job, it will be a double whammy for the Reds if he beats them to their number one keeper target this summer.
Roefs has kept 10 clean sheets in 33 Premier League appearances for the North East side.
His performances have helped secure a promising return to the Premier League for Sunderland, who sit 12th in the table —) one place above their bitter rivals Newcastle United.
Meanwhile, XABI ALONSO is on the verge of becoming Chelsea’s new boss.
The Blues expect to confirm Alonso‘s appointment before Tuesday night’s home game against Tottenham — and perhaps as soon as today.
He is set to put pen to paper on a four-year deal.
The news will be a boost for Chelsea fans after the disappointment of losing the FA Cup final to Manchester City at the end of a disastrous season.
Alonso, 44, has been out of work since being sacked by Real Madrid in January.
And the former Liverpool star has agreed to join Chelsea, despite many Reds fans calling for Arne Slot to be sacked and their former hero to replace him.
Alonso will be the SIXTH permanent boss under the current BlueCo regime.
It is understood he has been promised a bigger say in recruitment.
Stamford Bridge chiefs are also pledging to sign more “ready-made” players to supplement the young talent.
Outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, Fulham head coach Marco Silva and former Chelsea player Filipe Luis were all considered as potential successors to Liam Rosenior, who was sacked last month.
But Alonso quickly emerged as the preferred candidate and Blues chiefs have moved quickly to secure him before the World Cup and what will be a crucial summer for the club.
Alonso previously won the double with Bayer Leverkusen, leading the club to an incredible unbeaten Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal, as well as the Europa League final.
He joined Real Madrid last summer, but left the role one day after the club’s 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana.
For months before that Alonso had been unable to get to grips with some of the egos in the Real squad, with a notable strain in his relationship with Vinicius Jr that spilled over onto the field.
Alonso and his coaching staff attempted to implement higher intensity in training and matches, including pressing and tactical instruction, than his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti.
This split the Real dressing room, with Vinicius Jr reportedly leading the camp – featuring Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde – who were unconvinced by the Spanish tactician.
On the other hand he was supported by the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, and long after Alonso’s exit that fracture in the squad has reared its ugly head again – culminating in a fight between Tchouameni and Valverde in training.
While Alonso cut his losses at the Bernabeu, he will be joining a Chelsea side with many of its own list of problems.
They look set to be left without European football next season, which would give Alonso the chance to implement his ideas week-to-week rather than every few days – something which benefitted rivals Manchester United. — Sun
