Jobe Bellingham could be ‘weeks away from Sunderland exit’ after Dodds link
Sunderland are still chasing promotion to the Premier League, but even if they go up, they could still lose some of their best players.
The Black Cats have one foot in the door for the Championship play-off final after beating Coventry City 2-1 in the first leg of their semi-final clash.
Regis Le Bris will hope to keep most of his squad if Sunderland return to the Premier League, but one key player looks more likely to move than the rest.
Jobe Bellingham linked with Borussia Dortmund
Jobe Bellingham has been a standout player for Sunderland over the last two seasons, and a lot of clubs are interested in him.
Manchester United and Crystal Palace have been linked with moves, but the former Birmingham youngster could follow the path his older brother Jude set for him.
Borussia Dortmund have also been linked with Bellingham, and they now have an advantage over every other club interested in him.
| Competition (2024/25) | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Championship | 40 | 4 | 3 |
Not only are his family familiar with Dortmund, with Jude succeeding there before joining Real Madrid, but there are connections with the staff.
Dortmund scout Daniel Dodds has identified Bellingham as a key target, and he is the brother of Mike Dodds, who was the midfielder’s former coach in his academy days.
This connection could see Dodds push harder for Dortmund to sign him, and their other connections could help facilitate a deal.
Sunderland will hope to keep Bellingham after promotion
Sunderland know that if they fail to achieve promotion, there will be absolutely no chance of keeping Bellingham, given the interest in him.
Even if they succeed, the clubs interested could mean that Bellingham leaves anyway, if he is keen on moving abroad to Dortmund rather than staying in the Premier League.
The Black Cats will aim to maximise the sale profit if Bellingham does leave, and selling as a Premier League club would be more financially beneficial anyway.
Sunderland fans will also hope that if their teenage sensation is to depart, they would rather see him go abroad than to another English side, and the pathway of following his brother at Dortmund could be too good for him to turn down.