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Sunderland Chase Shakhtar Star Who Stunned Arsenal – Fabrizio Romano Reveals Champions League Hero on Black Cats’ Radar
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Sunderland are exploring the possibility of signing Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk, a player who earned widespread praise for his performance against Arsenal in last season’s UEFA Champions League.
The 26-year-old Ukrainian international stood out during a tightly contested group-stage match against the Gunners, where—despite a narrow 1-0 defeat—he made a string of crucial saves, including a penalty stop that nearly altered the outcome. Riznyk’s display on matchday four was enough to earn him a spot in SofaScore’s Team of the Week and the admiration of neutral fans and scouts alike.
Romano revealed via his official X (formerly Twitter) account that Sunderland have officially reached out to inquire about the conditions of a potential deal, though no formal bid has been lodged at this stage. This development follows the Black Cats’ failed attempt to land Djordje Petrovic, who instead opted for a move to Bournemouth.
In their continued search for a top-class goalkeeper, Sunderland have also been monitoring Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens. However, the Belgian talent—also linked with Manchester United and Leeds United—has not been the subject of any recent updates from Wearside.
Riznyk remains under contract with Shakhtar until the summer of 2027 and carries a current market valuation of €7 million (approximately £6.1 million), according to Transfermarkt. Since joining from Vorskla Poltava for €3 million in February 2023, he has established himself as a mainstay between the posts, playing all 24 league matches last season and featuring in all eight Champions League group-stage games.
Shakhtar and Riznyk are currently involved in the qualifying rounds as they aim to secure a place in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League.
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