‘Sunderland could be about to sign multiple wonderkids’ after confirmed news
Sunderland accepted a club-record fee of almost £28million, plus add-ons, to sell top midfield talent Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund – despite their promotion.
The 19-year-old’s departure is a big blow for Regis Le Bris‘ side as they prepare for Premier League football at the Stadium of Light next season.
Sunderland are yet to make their first signing of the summer transfer window – which is now back open ahead of the big kick off in August.
However, Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has insisted Bellingham‘s high-profile exit will give the Black Cats an edge in the market.
Wonderkids will follow Bellingham to Sunderland, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted other top youngsters will sit up and take notice of Sunderland as a potential destination after Bellingham’s move to Borussia Dortmund.
Le Bris’ side was already the youngest in the Championship last season but they navigated the play-offs against Coventry and Sheffield United to make the jump to the top flight.
Wyness insisted the £28million-plus fee will give Sunderland “ammunition to work with” in what will be a challenging window.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Sunderland have made almost £70million from four player sales recently.
“That’s something young players will look at.
“They will see a pathway at a club like Sunderland, and then go on elsewhere.
“This deal will stand Sunderland in good stead. It was always going to happen – they were going to lose Bellingham at some stage.
“I think they’ve done it the right way.
“He’s got a slightly different talent to his brother, but they’ll both be great players.
“For Sunderland, they’ve got some big questions to answer this summer – but this gives them some ammunition to work with.
“It also helps their reputation with young talent everywhere. It shows there is a pathway to the bigger clubs.”
Sunderland set sights on Coufal deal
Football Insider revealed last week (11 June) that newly promoted trio Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland are monitoring the situation of free agent Vladimir Coufal.
Everton, Wolves and Fulham are also interested in the right-back, whose West Ham exit has already been confirmed.
The 55-cap international star has made 147 total appearances in the Premier League and was a crucial part of the West Ham side which won the Uefa Conference League in 2023.
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