Sunderland AFC: Jobe Bellingham exit fear raised as journalist drops big new update | OneFootball

There has been a long-standing interest in the teenager, who has family connections to the interested club.

Borussia Dortmund are "pushing" to sign Sunderland starlet Jobe Bellingham ASAP, according to German reports.

At 19-years-old, with the ability that Bellingham possesses, the Black Cats will have a real tough time holding onto the midfielder if they don't beat Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final this Saturday.

The number seven isn't just revered because of his surname, though. He's proven, since making the move from Birmingham City two summers ago, that he has every trait you would want from someone in his position. He can contribute in pivotal moments at both ends of the pitch - it was his defensive work that stood out in the semi-final win over Coventry City.

Sunderland are expected to let Bellingham leave if they don't attain Premier League status, which would leave them with a big hole to fill in the middle of the park. A number of top outfits from across the continent have been linked with the teenager over the past two years, but it's Dortmund who are now trying to focus in on acquiring Bellingham this summer.

Borussia Dortmund "pushing" to secure Jobe Bellingham deal

Patrick Berger of Sky Sports Germany has reported that they want to get him through the door in time for the start of the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins on 14th June, giving the Bundesliga side just three weeks to seal their ideal move for the centre-mid, which could cost between €25-30 million (£21-25 million).

No offers have been made to either player or club, but it is expected that they will be sent over after the final on Saturday. While Dortmund don't consider themselves to be leading the race for Bellingham, Berger reports that they are working hard to beat their competitors.

It was stated by The Times, on the day of Sunderland's semi-final first leg at the CBS Arena, that Dortmund had made Bellingham a top priority, and that they were willing to pay £25 million for him - the same fee that they reportedly paid Birmingham for his brother Jude in 2020, when he was 17.

Fellow German first division side RB Leipzig have also been reported to be chasing the teenager's signature this summer. Berger's Sky Sports Germany co-worker, Florian Plettenberg, also said that Leipzig were "pushing hard" to secure a deal for Jobe.

Jobe Bellingham may not want to follow in his brother's footsteps

Dortmund's historical reputation has been as one of the premier talent developers in Europe. Raw prospects like Jude, Erling Haaland and others went through the maturing process at Signal Iduna Park in order to become the players that they are today.

It's a great proving ground for the up-and-coming, but it may not be what Jobe envisages for himself. He has already taken steps to make sure he is seen as not just his brother's brother. He wears 'Jobe' on the back of his Sunderland shirt rather than 'Bellingham'.

He is an individual, and a brilliantly talented one too, one that maybe won't want to follow the exact same path that his sibling did, even if it may be a very enticing one.