Sunderland owner Louis-Dreyfus intervenes as Bellingham whereabouts surface
Sunderland may have just won promotion to the Premier League, but they are now stuck with the future of Jobe Bellingham hanging over their heads.
The Black Cats ended an excellent first season under Regis Le Bris in the best possible way, winning promotion via the Championship play-offs.
Sunderland defeated Sheffield United 2-1 at Wembley to secure their return to the top-flight after an eight-year absence.
However, Sunderland risk losing their best players despite promotion, and Bellingham appears to be the most likely to leave.
Louis-Dreyfus wants to keep Bellingham after midfielder spotted in Germany
Ahead of Sunderland’s Premier League return, owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is determined to keep the England Under-21s international at the Stadium of Light.
Journalist Ed Aarons on X (28 May) has reported that Bellingham has held talks with clubs over in Germany, but it remains to be seen whether he will be allowed to leave the club.
Bellingham has been heavily linked with a move to Germany, with Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt all interested.
Should Bellingham leave the North-East for the Bundesliga, he would follow in his brother Jude’s footsteps, who left Birmingham City for Dortmund in 2020.
Could Jordan Henderson replace Bellingham?
As much as Louis-Dreyfus would like to keep hold of Bellingham, a quoted offer of £25million could be too good for the Black Cats to turn down.
Should he leave, the young midfielder’s replacement could be in the form of a former hero.
Jordan Henderson has been linked with a return to his boyhood club, after the ex-Sunderland captain was seen at Wembley for the club’s victory in the play-off final.
According to Fabrizio Romano on X, Henderson, currently contracted at Ajax, has been attracting interest from clubs in the Premier League and Serie A after a strong finish to the 2024/25 season.
It is also reported that the Ajax captain believes his future is away from the club after manager Francesco Farioli resigned.
The 34-year-old England international left Sunderland for Liverpool in 2011, before going on to captain the Reds to both the Premier League and Champions League.
Henderson would bring experience to a youthful Black Cats side whilst bolstering their midfield options should Bellingham depart.