PRE-SUMMER TRANSFER GOSSIP

Even though there are still six games left of the Premier League season, we're already hearing a few transfer rumours ahead of the summer window. Due to Sunderland having such a successful season, the priority for the upcoming window may well be keeping hold of our key names rather than bringing in an extreme number of new players again.

ROEFS

Following Sunderland's victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Robin Roefs was asked by a national reporter to give his thoughts on a potential £60m move to Chelsea. The remarkable Dutchman responed in a calm manner, saying: “No, I don't really feel any way with it. I'm just really happy with the trust I get from the team, from the coach. I'm back, and everyone just supports me so well, and they're happy that I'm back. This is, for me, really important. Within the club, within the team, they appreciate me, and that's just really nice to have. What happens outside of that, I don't really feel any type of way about it. For me, it's not really time to think about these things like moving or any rumours. As long as I don't know anything about it, I just keep on going. The way we are building here is just really, really amazing. I think being promoted and performing really well, I think we can only build on that. Let's hope next season we can continue like this.”

Despite playing down these rumours and not adding any fuel to the fire, the fact Roefs was asked directly about the move has brought it into the public eye. Melker Ellborg stepped into Roefs' place recently due to injury and did impress, but Roefs is clearly the number one keeper under Regis Le Bris.

BROBBEY

Fellow Dutchman Brian Brobbey has also been linked away from SAFC in the wake of the Spurs game, with reports suggesting German giants Bayern Munich are keeping tabs on the centre-forward. On paper six goals in 25 games may not be particularly groundbreaking but when you watch Brobbey play, his unique physical profile is clearly something that makes him an exciting proposition up front for any team and a handful for the best defenders in the Premier League. With chance creation for Brobbey also very limited, to earn six goals is certainly nothing to be sniffed at in this Sunderland side. SAFC are very much in the driver's seat when it comes to a potential Brobbey sale - he's only 24, we'd look for a huge return on the £17m fee we paid Ajax last summer, he's still got four years left on his contract, and would Brobbey even want to play understudy to Harry Kane over in the Bundesliga? Career-wise it would be best for Brian to spend another year playing regularly in the Premier League, nail down a spot in the Netherlands' national team and see where his options lie in the future. His physical presence is so crucial to the way we set up that out of all the players to be linked away, Brobbey would perhaps be the hardest to replace.

SADIKI

It has been said that multiple Premier League clubs are battling for Noah Sadiki's signature, with Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs (if they stay up) and Everton all credited with an interest. The DR Congo international cost around just £15m last summer from Union SG, with his energy and tenacity proving vital to our midfield. Like Brobbey and many other of his teammates, Sadiki is tied down to a long-term contract meaning the club are in no rush to sell. It seems likely that we will see one major sale this summer, to boost our finances long-term, but a squad overhaul should not be expected.

GHISOLFI

In other news, it has been suggested that Marseille are taking in interest in Florent Ghisolfi to become their new Sporting Director. Club owner Frank McCourt reportedly wishes to appoint a "humble" and "clear-sighted" character for the role, and Ghisolfi's vast Ligue 1 experience is also attractive. However, Ghisolfi is said to be happy at Sunderland and would prefer to remain on Wearside to continue the current project.

FATAWU

Away from our players and staff, Sunderland have once again been linked with a move for Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu. The Black Cats, alongside Everton, are reportedly set to battle for the 22-year-old this summer who is said to be unwilling to drop to League One should Leicester City suffer relegation, and is prepared to actively force a move in the event of Leicester going down. Despite the Foxes' struggles this season, Fatawu has been a stand-out performer with nine goals and seven assists in the league. It has been suggested that Leicester would let him go for around £20m. However, in the event of relegation to the third tier, the club would certainly have to lower their asking price - something we are too aware of!