‘Deadline set as Jobe Bellingham closes in on £25m Sunderland exit’
Jobe Bellingham looks set to leave Sunderland in the summer transfer window, and a deal could be struck sooner than expected.
The 19-year-old was part of the Black Cats side which secured promotion to the Premier League, beating Sheffield United 2-1 in the Championship play-off final.
Tyrece Campbell gave the Blades a first-half lead, before Eliezer Mayenda and the Brighton-bound Tommy Watson turned the game on its head.
Regis Le Bris’ side will join Burnley and Leeds in the Premier League next season, after the pair secured automatic promotion.
Bellingham set for move
Bellingham was instrumental to Sunderland’s success at Wembley, and firmly put himself in the shop window for a summer move.
There are a number of teams interested in securing the services of the midfielder, and Eintracht Frankfurt have held talks with Bellingham, with Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig also in the race.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
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The Sunderland man is hoping to be part of Lee Carsley’s squad for the under-21 European Championships, but his impending move may be confirmed while he is away with the Three Lions.
According to reports in The Athletic (30 May), Bellingham’s future should be decided long before Sunderland return for pre-season in early July.
With the former Birmingham youngster expected to be on international duty until the end of June, negotiations will likely be ongoing during the tournament.
The Athletic added that the opportunity for Bellingham to join a Champions League club in Frankfurt, for a reasonable price (£25m) would be difficult for Sunderland to block, and the Black Cats have not objected to any of the talks held so far.
Champions League will be the swaying factor
Football Insider Verdict
When Sunderland secured promotion back to the Premier League, there was the potential that Bellingham would give the Black Cats one more season.
However, over the last week, the Englishman has shown that he is open to a move abroad, and the incentive of playing in the Champions League could be too strong to turn down.
RB Leipzig missed out on European football, finishing seventh in the Bundesliga, which will likely scupper their chances of bringing in Bellingham.
Frankfurt and Dortmund ended the season third and fourth respectively, both securing Champions League football, so it will depend on where the 19-year-old feels more comfortable.
For some time, it has been evident that Bellingham wants to step out the shadow of his brother, Jude, and a move to Frankfurt could give him the ability to build his own legacy.