(Credit: Imago)

Sunderland 'ready to sign Bellingham replacement' after Milan Aleksic exit news

Alex is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who's been reporting on Mackem News since April 2025. Indeed, he started working for Breaking Media in April and has since graduated from St Mary's University as a NCTJ Gold Standard-accredited journalist, having completed his Master's degree in Sports Journalism. Alex previously worked for Football League World and has featured on the Roker Report, providing his opinion on all things Sunderland. While getting to the games is tricky, given his job, one of the highlights of his life was watching (and crying) as the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium last season.

Published on:

19 Jun 2025, 8:00 am

Sunderland may have already lost Jobe Bellingham, but that has not dampened the mood around the Stadium of Light.

Bellingham departed Sunderland for a record fee to join Borussia Dortmund, meaning the Wearside club have substantial funds to spend.

Another player who looks to be leaving the North East already is Milan Aleksic, who is primed to join Partizan Belgrade on loan.

The departure of the Serbian opens up another midfield berth, and there is a perfect replacement ready for a place in the Premier League.

Bellingham left Wearside on a high (Credit: Imago)

Sunderland can replace Aleksic with Premier League man

Aleksic is set to leave Sunderland on loan after the Black Cats secured promotion to the Premier League.

The Serbian became a record signing in the Kyril-Louis Dreyfus era when he joined from Serbian side Radnicki 1923 for an estimated £3.1million in the summer of 2024.

Aleksic was regarded as a player for the future and thus only made three Championship starts last season.

Promotion was always going to signal the exit door for some, and the 19-year-old is now set to depart on loan to further his progression.

Milan Aleksic's 2024/25 Championship statistics	Total
Appearances (starts)	8 (3)
Minutes per game	36
Accurate passes	8.3 (68%)
Touches	21.6

Aleksic was hardly used last season (Sofascore)

Of course, that does not mean the end of his Black Cats career, but more that he is not ready for Premier League football just yet.

With Aleksic gone, that means that Sunderland can press on with striking a deal with Wolves for Tommy Doyle.

The Wearsiders have been admirers of the central-midfielder for some time, but he has been used seldom at Molineux.

Doyle will likely be available this summer, and the Black Cats can firm up their interest in the 23-year-old if they so wish.

Sunderland Director of Football, Kristjaan Speakman, is in charge of transfers (Credit: Imago)

Would Doyle be a good replacement for Bellingham?

Naturally, it would be safe to assume that Bellingham's boots are too big to fill.

Last season, Regis Le Bris' side failed to win a single game when the teenager wasn't playing, emphasising his stature within the team.

So, what would Doyle bring to Sunderland?

Firstly, the Englishman is a technically gifted player and can deliver a mean set piece when called upon.

Furthermore, he has leadership qualities as he captained the England Under-21s and Manchester City at youth level, shining on loan at Sheffield United, too.

While replacing Bellingham will be a tricky task, Doyle is a valid candidate to do so.

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Jobe Bellingham

Milan Aleksic

Tommy Doyle