Martin Keown issues desperate Jobe Bellingham plea as Sunderland exit nears
Martin Keown has issued a unique take on Jobe Bellingham’s imminent transfer from Sunderland to Borussia Dortmund.
The England Under-21 international excelled at Championship level for the North East outfit, helping the Mackems return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
Football Insider exclusively revealed that Bellingham verbally agreed to join Borussia Dortmund after he notched four goals and three assists for the Mackems in the second tier this term.
The Guardian subsequently reported [8 June] that the 19-year-old will join the Bundesliga giants for a fee of £28million, potentially rising to £32m.
Keown urges Bellingham to stay with Sunderland
Sunderland’s task of adjusting to life in the Premier League has been made all the more difficult by Bellingham’s impending exit.
But speaking live on talkSPORT [9 June], Keown urged the teenager to stay at the Stadium of Light: “I was looking forward to seeing him in the Premier League. Come on, stay with Sunderland.”
Bellingham will hope to follow in his older brother Jude’s footsteps in becoming a key player for Dortmund.
Football Insider verdict
Sunderland must sign Jordan Henderson
The fact that Bellingham is set to join Dortmund after performing well for Sunderland is indicative of the high quality Regis Le Bris enjoyed among his ranks in the Championship.
| Jobe Bellingham stats | Championship 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 40 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 3 |
Fellow promotion-winning hero Tommy Watson has joined Brighton, further demonstrating the class that the Mackems had in the second tier.
However, Le Bris should be worried about the lack of Premier League experience and nous that the Stadium of Light outfit boast ahead of next season.
But Sunderland have no plans to re-sign Jordan Henderson this summer, even though he has been constantly linked with a return to the North East.
The Mackems ought to change their stance on the former Liverpool man, as the 34-year-old’s presence would be a massive asset for Le Bris as his side face the daunting task of Premier League survival.
Henderson could help the Black Cats bridge the ever-increasing gap between the top flight and the Championship.
Meanwhile, Ligue 1 expert Luke Entwistle exclusively spoke to Mackem News about Sunderland’s interest in Monaco defender Wilfried Singo.