Jobe Bellingham: Giants 'pushing to sign' Sunderland star
Borussia Dortmund are expected to push for the signing of Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham, according to the club's former assistant manager.
Mick Brown, who spent a period as the assistant to Roy Keane and remains very well-connected at the Stadium of Light, exclusively told Football Insider that the German outfit will make their move "if they like what they see".
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 15 November that Dortmund are growing increasingly confident of landing the 19-year-old after closely watching his progress.
Sources have also said that Bellingham is keen to follow in the footsteps of his brother, Jude, by making the move from the Championship to the Bundesliga giants.
However, they are also expected to face competition from Premier League clubs for his signature with the likes of Crystal Palace keeping a close eye on his progress.
Brown clarified, though, that the current interest from English clubs is in the early stages and they need to see more before making a move.
So far this season, the midfielder has started 13 of Sunderland's 15 Championship fixtures, retaining his place as a key player in Regis Le Bris' side.
Borussia Dortmund to rival Premier League clubs in move for Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham
Such is the make-up of Le Bris' side, putting faith in a number of young players, that the best talents at the club are already attracting high-profile attention.
Football Insider revealed on 13 November that 17-year-old Chris Rigg has attracted interest from the likes of Palace and Man United.
Now, with the focus on Bellingham, Brown has revealed that Dortmund have been keeping a close eye on the midfielder with a view to helping his development in Germany.
"It's definitely one Dortmund have been looking at," he told Football Insider.
"He's playing regularly in the Championship, so that's always going to attract interest, and if they like what they see I'd expect them to push and get it done.
"He gets compared to his brother a lot, which is quite harsh on him, but to be fair to the lad, he's stuck at it and he's making good progress.
"Would the interest from Dortmund be there if not for Jude? Probably not.
"But, as far as I know, there are Premier League clubs watching him too.
"Crystal Palace were quite heavily linked with a move in the summer.
"The move to Germany has become quite a frequent option in recent years, a few players have made the move and it's been good for their development.
"There's less pressure and the game is played at a bit of a lower tempo.
"That could be beneficial for him, so if they decide they are going to make the move, it wouldn't shock me at all to see it go through."
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