Sunderland Echo

The latest transfer talk from Sunderland as one current Black Cats player is linked with moves to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

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Sunderland loan star Lutsharel Geertruida is reportedly attracting ‘serious attention’ from clubs in the Premier League and across Europe as the Black Cats look to make a firm decision over his long-term future at the Stadium of Light.

The 20-times capped Netherlands international joined Sunderland on loan from RB Leipzig during what was a hectic summer transfer window and he went on to make 30 appearances in all competitions as Regis Le Bris’ side secured a seventh placed finish in the Premier League and a spot in next season’s Europa League.

Geertruida was handed a start in Sunderland’s last three games of a memorable season - but the Black Cats are yet to trigger a reported £20million permanent clause in the loan agreement they struck with Leipzig last August. There was speculation Liverpool were keen on a January move for the versatile defender and the Reds were said to have made an enquiry over a possible deal during the final days of the transfer window.

Speaking at the time, Black Cats boss Le Bris said of Geertruida: “I think his main strength is versatility, and probably in this industry, the most usual pathway is to stay in one position. I think we have to value his versatility, because it's his strength. And for him, it's a complex situation, because he's really useful for the squad. Often the 11th [for] game time for 10 positions on the pitch, but still the 11th, which is really good in the Premier League.

“And the ambition to be a starter is normal for a footballer. The World Cup, with this future in his mind, is really important as well. So many things are combined, and can add the complexity of the transfer window, with many rumours, many opportunities. But facts are facts, it's just the end of the process, do you want to sign or not, and it wasn't so clear finally.”

Doubt still remains over whether Geertruida will be a Sunderland player next season - and SportsBoom have now claimed Liverpool retain their interest in the Dutch international and would face competition from Aston Villa, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. They also claim Geertruida has interest from Italy, Germany, France and Spain and describe a decision over his future as ‘looming’.

Robin Roefs has already spoken about his Sunderland future amid fresh transfer links with Tottenham

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Robin Roefs has already made clear that he is not thinking about a move away from Sunderland amid fresh reports linking him with Tottenham Hotspur.

According to several reports, Spurs have added the 23-year-old goalkeeper to their summer shortlist as they assess potential new options between the posts ahead of next season. However, it is said that Sunderland remain confident of keeping Roefs, who has quickly established himself as one of Régis Le Bris’ most important players.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable debut Premier League campaign after joining the Black Cats from NEC Nijmegen for an initial fee of around £9million plus add-ons, a deal that has since proven inspired despite the Dutchman being unknown to fans in England before the move.

Roefs had previously been linked with a £60million move to Chelsea following Sunderland’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, when he was asked about the growing speculation around his future. The Dutchman responded calmly, making clear that outside noise was not something he was paying much attention to.

Asked about the recognition around his performances, Roefs said: “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.”

Roefs’ return against Tottenham was another significant moment in his season. The goalkeeper had missed several games after picking up an injury against Bournemouth earlier in the campaign, forcing him to watch from the sidelines during a key period. In his absence, Melker Ellborg stepped in and impressed, producing assured performances as Sunderland continued to pick up results. However, Roefs’ reinstatement underlined his status as the club’s first-choice option under Le Bris when fully fit.

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Roefs was also quizzed directly on reports linking him with a move away from the Stadium of Light, but again played down any suggestion that he was thinking about his future. “For me, it's not really time to think about these things like moving or any rumours,” he said. “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.”

Those comments now carry renewed relevance amid Tottenham’s reported interest as the London club fight relegation. Reports claim that Spurs have identified Roefs as a strong candidate to become their number one, although Sunderland are expected to make any potential deal difficult. Spurs are also thought to be looking at Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen and Manchester City’s James Trafford as part of a wider search for a new goalkeeper, with Guglielmo Vicario expected to move on.

Sunderland are linked with a £10.5million midfielder as Tottenham eye a potential £50million summer move

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Sunderland have been credited with interest in Schalke midfielder Soufiane El-Faouzi, while Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly monitoring Black Cats goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

According to Sky Germany, Sunderland are among a number of clubs interested in El-Faouzi, who has impressed in Germany this season. Brentford, Bologna and Celtic are also said to be keen on the 23-year-old, while Stade Rennes have also been mentioned, although they are not expected to be his next destination.

Schalke are reportedly keen to keep the midfielder, who is valued at around €12million - approximately £10.5million. The report adds that El-Faouzi is comfortable at the club and that staying in Gelsenkirchen remains a possibility, with no concrete talks currently taking place with other clubs. His focus is said to have been firmly on Schalke’s promotion push.

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Elsewhere, Football Insider reports that Tottenham are considering a move for Sunderland goalkeeper Roefs, should they retain their Premier League status. The report claims Spurs are in the market for a new first-choice goalkeeper, with Roefs now added to a shortlist that has also included Manchester City’s James Trafford and Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen.

Sunderland are expected to resist any sale after Roefs’ outstanding debut season in England. The Dutchman joined from NEC Nijmegen last summer for around £11.5million and has quickly established himself as a key figure under Régis Le Bris. Football Insider previously reported that Sunderland would expect offers in excess of £50million for Roefs, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City also credited with interest in recent months.

Nicklas Bendtner and Aaron Lennon are set to join Ronaldinho and Jermain Defoe at the Stadium of Light.

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Former Sunderland striker Nicklas Bendtner and ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Everton winger Aaron Lennon are set to appear at the Stadium of Light for the Ronaldinho & Friends game, The Echo understands.

Sunderland will host the exhibition match on Monday, May 25, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm - just 24 hours after the Black Cats’ final Premier League fixture of the season against Chelsea. The game will see Ronaldinho captain a side of former stars against a UK Icons team led by Sunderland favourite Jermain Defoe.

As previously revealed by The Echo, several Brazilian greats are expected to be involved, including Fábio Rochemback, Maicon and Gilberto Silva. They join a growing list of names confirmed to be appearing at the event, including Djibril Cissé, Kléberson, Heurelho Gomes, Manchester United twins Fábio and Rafael, Fernando and Anderson.

The Echo also recently revealed that former Tottenham and Hull City defender Michael Dawson is set to feature. He is now expected to be joined by Lennon, 39, and former Arsenal striker Bendtner, who spent the 2011-12 season on loan at Sunderland, with the trio having played at the Stadium of Light multiple times across their respective careers.

Bentdner, now 38, spent the 2011-12 season on loan at the Stadium of Light, making 30 appearances in all competitions and finishing as the club’s top Premier League scorer with eight goals. His spell included some memorable moments, most notably a penalty in the Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle United and goals in wins over Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers and Queens Park Rangers. Bendtner also scored in Sunderland’s 3-3 draw away to Manchester City, a result that briefly threatened to damage City’s title charge before their dramatic final-day triumph.

After leaving Sunderland, Bendtner returned to Arsenal before later spells with Juventus, Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest, Rosenborg and FC Copenhagen. He also remained a high-profile figure for Denmark, scoring 30 goals in 81 senior international appearances and representing his country at major tournaments.

The event continues to gather momentum, with further additions expected in the coming days as organisers finalise both squads. Tickets are on sale now via Sunderland’s official website, starting at £25 for adults and £20 for concessions. Hospitality packages are also available, including access to Quinns Sports Bar and executive boxes.

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Sunderland’s then-Chief Business Officer David Bruce said: “It is an absolute privilege to host this game and welcome one of the most iconic legends of the sport. The Stadium of Light is known for hosting big occasions, and this event with Ronaldinho is no different.”

Marcel Nalyan, Chief Curator of the Ronaldinho & Friends game, added: “Ronaldinho’s love for football has never faded, not even with the close of his professional career. It had been a long time since he last visited the UK, and he had longed for the chance to play there once more. When the opportunity with Sunderland arose, he said immediately: ‘Let’s do it!’ From the very beginning, he loved everything about the fans on Wearside, the stadium, and all that comes with it.”

Former Tottenham and England defender is set to return to the Stadium of Light for Sunderland’s Ronaldinho & Friends fixture

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The Echo can reveal that former Tottenham Hotspur captain Michael Dawson is currently set to return to the Stadium of Light next month as part of the Ronaldinho & Friends fixture.

Dawson, who faced Sunderland regularly during his Premier League career, is among the latest high-profile names lined up for the end-of-season event on Wearside - though, as with all exhibition fixtures, final line-ups remain subject to change. The former England international was a familiar opponent at the Stadium of Light during his time with Spurs and is now in line to make his return in a very different setting.

Sunderland will host the Ronaldinho & Friends game on Monday, May 25 (5pm kick-off), just 24 hours after their final Premier League fixture of the season against Chelsea. The exhibition match will see Ronaldinho captain a side of former stars against a UK Icons team led by Jermain Defoe.

As previously revealed by The Echo, several Brazilian greats are also expected to be involved, including Fábio Rochemback, Maicon and Gilberto Silva. They join a growing list of names linked with the event, alongside Djibril Cissé, Kléberson, Heurelho Gomes, Manchester United twins Fábio and Rafael, as well as Fernando and Anderson.

The event continues to gather momentum, with further additions anticipated in the coming days as organisers finalise both squads. Tickets are on sale now via Sunderland’s official website, starting at £25 for adults and £20 for concessions. Hospitality packages are also available, including access to Quinns Sports Bar and executive boxes.

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Sunderland AFC’s Chief Business Officer, David Bruce, said: “It is an absolute privilege to host this game and welcome one of the most iconic legends of the sport. The Stadium of Light is known for hosting big occasions, and this event with Ronaldinho is no different.”

Marcel Nalyan, Chief Curator of the Ronaldinho & Friends game, added: “Ronaldinho’s love for football has never faded, not even with the close of his professional career. It had been a long time since he last visited the UK, and he had longed for the chance to play there once more. When the opportunity with Sunderland arose, he said immediately: ‘Let’s do it!’ From the very beginning, he loved everything about the fans on Wearside, the stadium, and all that comes with it.”

Premier League panel rules on key Sunderland incident involving Brian Brobbey after controversial Tottenham clash

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The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel has ruled that Brian Brobbey should have been dismissed during Sunderland’s recent victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light.

The incident took place midway through the second half of the April 12 fixture, shortly after Sunderland had moved ahead through Nordi Mukiele. As Tottenham attempted to deal with a ball played down the middle, Cristian Romero positioned himself between Brobbey and goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in an effort to see it safely back.

Brobbey then made contact with the defender from behind, leading to Romero colliding with Kinsky. Referee Rob Jones awarded a foul but opted against showing a second yellow card to the Sunderland forward, who had already been booked in the first half following a coming together with Pedro Porro. Upon review, the KMI panel reached a split verdict, with three members to two deciding that the original decision was incorrect.

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Their assessment concluded that the contact constituted a “two-handed push” and met the threshold for a second caution. Had Brobbey been dismissed, Tottenham would have been handed a numerical advantage for the closing stages of a game they ultimately lost 1-0. In the aftermath, Brobbey was targeted with racist abuse on social media. Sunderland subsequently reported the matter to the Premier League, the relevant platforms and the police.

The decision has also contributed to a growing number of errors linked to referee Rob Jones this season in relation to second yellow cards. According to the panel’s data, he has been involved in five such incorrect calls during the current campaign, all of which were deemed to have warranted a sending off.

An incident during Sunderland’s win against Tottenham Hotspur has been reviewed by the Premier League Key Match Incidents Panel.

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A Premier League panel has ruled Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey should have been shown a red card in the recent win against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Premier League Key Match Incidents Panel was introduced during the 2022/23 season and is described as ‘an independent body tasked with evaluating key decisions made in football matches’. It consists of a member of the Premier League, a PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) member and three former players and coaches.

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Speaking at the time the KMI Panel was introduced, Premier League's Chief Football Officer Tony Scholes explained: "Assessments of the officials used to be carried out by the PGMOL themselves, and the accusation was that they were marking their own homework. The level of credibility of the accuracy results was questioned by clubs and everyone else in the game. So we thought it was important to introduce some kind of independence and objective measure of the accuracy."

Several incidents have been assessed at their latest meeting and one at the top of the agenda was a coming together between Sunderland striker Brobbey and Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero during the Black Cats’ 1-0 win against the Premier League relegation candidates earlier this month. The duo were chasing a loose ball as it headed towards Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky and Brobbey appeared to push the Argentina defender and the collision that followed saw Romero suffer an injury that has ended his season.

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Former Ajax striker Brobbey had already been shown a yellow card during the first half of the game - but referee Rob Jones opted against showing a second and the Black Cats star remained on the pitch to help his side to a win and condemn their visitors to a defeat that heightened their relegation concerns. However, the KMI panel voted 3:2 that the decision by Jones was an error and ruled that "there is a two-handed push which is an unnecessarily reckless action".

In control

Speaking on Sky Sports ref watch just 24 hours after the game, former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher defended Brobbey stating: "I think we have to be careful that we don't get seduced by the outcome. If the goalkeeper is not there, a little nudge like that, are you sending him off for a second yellow card? The answer is most certainly no. Unluckily, the collision occurs and it ramps everything up but it's not a very serious foul. When you look at the nuts and bolts, it is just a little push."

Former Arsenal and Coventry City striker Jay Bothroyd added: “From a striker's point of view, forwards hate this because when you look at this, Romero is not in control of the ball and he's trying to block the player from getting the ball. They're not in control of the ball, he doesn't want control of the ball, and he's blocking him. At some point, Brobbey can't see the ball anymore so it's almost like a push to one side to see the ball. Those incidents happen because the defender is trying to shield the ball.”

Sunderland beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

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Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki has hailed the impact of the Stadium of Light crowd during Sunday’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, while also stating that he and his teammates are fully aware of the challenges still to come this season.

A deflected Nordi Mukiele strike handed the Black Cats all three points against their relegation-threatened opponents, ending a run of three straight home defeats in the process and moving them to within touching distance of sixth-placed Chelsea.

As such, European qualification remains a tangible possibility for Regis Le Bris’ newly promoted side with half a dozen games remaining, and to that end, Sadiki has emphasised just how important it is that Sunderland keep up their recent good work - which includes away wins against Leeds United and Newcastle United prior to the international break - over the coming weeks.

What did Noah Sadiki say after Sunderland’s win vs Tottenham Hotspur

Speaking to the club’s official website, the DR Congo international said: “More difficult games are coming. This game was difficult as well - we suffered a lot towards the end. We’ve got some away games and some difficult ones at home so we need to have the same intensity and quality, and score a little bit more.”

On his side’s performance against Spurs, he said: “It’s really useful to win after three games where we didn’t win at home. It felt good and we took some pleasure on the pitch as well. I think it was one of the best games I’ve seen us play this season.

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“We took risks, even though we lost the ball a few times but we reacted as a team and that’s what we need until the end of the season... We knew how important it was to come back to the business, and come back the right way. I think that’s what we did today, and I’m proud of the team.”

Reflecting on the typically raucous atmosphere at the Stadium of Light over the weekend, Sadiki added: “Like always, they [the fans] are always at that level and we need to match that level every game that we play at home. It’s really cool to play here.”

Marco Gabbiadini praises Brian Brobbey display but warns Tottenham incident risked second yellow

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Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini has warned that Brian Brobbey’s “petulant” moment against Tottenham Hotspur risked putting his team in danger - despite praising his overall performance.

Brobbey was heavily involved throughout Sunderland’s win at the Stadium of Light, but one flashpoint drew particular attention. The striker appeared to push Cristian Romero into goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky as the Spurs defender attempted to shield the ball, leading to suggestions he could have been shown a second yellow card.

Reflecting on that incident, Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle: “I thought it was a bit petty, actually. A bit petulant from him. I thought he put the team at risk because he could've easily got another yellow for that. It was one of them games where he got a little bit too wound up. I think he might be better getting away from the contact in a way, stepping to the side or trying to get the other side of the defender, so he can't see him and then pop in front of him.”

While critical of that moment, Gabbiadini was still full of praise for Brobbey’s all-action display, which caused constant problems for Spurs’ defence. “Some of the moments in the game were fantastic,” he added. “He was getting really heated and wound up, and I thought [Cristian] Romero and [Micky] Van de Ven didn't know what to do with him at times and didn't defend him very well.”

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Brobbey’s physicality and intensity have quickly made him a handful for Premier League defenders, and a popular figure among Sunderland supporters. Gabbiadini believes that edge is part of what makes him effective, even if it occasionally needs to be controlled.

Romero is now set to miss the remainder of the season through injury. Reports indicate Romero will not feature again at club level this campaign, although hopes remain he could recover in time for the World Cup. It is another setback for Spurs, who remain in the relegation zone and are now facing a tense run-in under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi, with injuries continuing to mount at a critical stage of the season.

Luke O’nien reacts after Spurs win as Sunderland’s impressive form in the Premier League continues under Régis Le Bris

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Luke O’Nien has issued a message to Sunderland supporters following the club’s latest Premier League victory, as Régis Le Bris’ side continue to build momentum at a crucial stage of the season.

The Black Cats’ win over Tottenham Hotspur marked their third victory in matches started by O’Nien, following earlier successes against Leeds United and Newcastle United. Across those three games, Sunderland have conceded just one goal against Newcastle United, though that was O’Nien’s fault. Nevertheless, O’Nien has played a key role in that run, bringing leadership and intensity to a back line that has stood up well against high-level opposition.

Tottenham arrived on Wearside under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi, but their struggles continued. The visitors extended their long winless run in the Premier League, with Sunderland the more organised and threatening side throughout. The decisive moment came when Nordi Mukiele’s effort from distance took a heavy deflection off Micky van de Ven, wrong-footing goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

After the game, O’Nien took to Instagram to reflect on the result and the team’s progress under head coach Le Bris, with Sunderland in with a shout of qualifying for Europe. Luke O’Nien said to his followers on Instagram: “Really enjoyable afternoon at the SOL on Sunday. We keep building together.”

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O'Nien recently sat down with BBC Radio Newcastle: "The thing I'm most proud of is that I've made many mistakes between my debut and now, and there was the one on Derby Day. But if you look at the reaction and the work I have done since then, I didn't just manage to help steer the ship that game, but we limited them to very few chances at all.

"Those are examples of how I was as a human being then, then fast forward seven or eight years, and I have had to dig deep on one of the toughest days, in one of the toughest environments, to turn it around when really needed. As human beings, we make mistakes, and it is important we face them head-on, put your ego aside and use them as learnings to keep moving forward."