‘Sunderland don’t need £25m but may be forced to sell Jobe Bellingham’
Sunderland may be stuck with the future of Jobe Bellingham out of their hands amid the latest updates on the future of the midfielder.
This has turned out to be a hugely successful season for the Black Cats, after they secured promotion back to the Premier League.
Bellingham was among the Sunderland players celebrating after their victory over Sheffield United in the play-off final at Wembley on Saturday (24 May) to confirm their return to the top-flight.
However, just days after that, it emerged that Bellingham has flown to Germany to hold talks with Eintracht Frankfurt over a potential move to the Bundesliga side.
Sunderland promotion may not be enough to keep key man
Frankfurt are not the only German team who have been linked with a move for the 19-year-old in the lead-up to the transfer window.
Borussia Dortmund have also been linked with a £25million move to sign the Sunderland ace, having previously benefitted from the talents of his older brother Jude.
Some pundits such as Martin Allen have questioned whether the younger Bellingham is worth that much [Mackem News].
Speaking on talkSPORT however, Jordan suggested that the Black Cats may have no choice but to accept such a fee, even if they may feel they do not have to sell him for that price after their promotion windfall.
| Jobe Bellingham 2024/25 stats | Total (Transfermarkt) |
| Appearances | 43 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Yellow Cards | 10 |
| Red Cards | 1 |
After presenter Jim White suggested £25million for Bellingham was “nice territory” for Sunderland to “play in”, the former Crystal Palace chairman said: “What, when you’re just about to be given £125[million] for getting promoted?
“He’s just been voted one of the best players in the Championship, £25million that’s got to be spent, so what are you going to replace him with that’s better. Do Sunderland need £25million now? I doubt they do.”
White then asked if Jordan was suggesting if he was Sunderland owner Kyril Lewis-Dreyfus he would be doing everything he can to keep Bellingham, to which he responded: “Unless I can’t.
“I certainly wouldn’t be relaxed about it, I wouldn’t be making a play about it in front of the media about it, but I certainly wouldn’t be suggesting I’d be waving him off at the airport over to Frankfurt to have a little chat about his future when he’s under contract to me.
“Unless I have no choice in the matter, and that may well be the case. They only signed him a couple of years ago didn’t they, and so it may well be that they has this clause in the contract that they have to release him at a certain price and maybe £25million looked like a lot of money for a player.”
Jobe Bellingham situation is an unusual one
Football Insider Verdict
The fact that a potential move for Bellingham to Germany appears to be in the process of moving forward does seem to be somewhat surprising in the circumstances.
With the Black Cats having just won promotion to the Premier League, they are set to enjoy a major financial windfall for winning the so-called richest game on earth.
As a result there ought to be no need for them to sell one of their key players for a fee such as this, when they have just come in to even more money.
Although many will expect Sunderland to be battling relegation next season, there is no guarantee they set for an immediate drop back to the Championship.
It could therefore also be seen as strange that Bellingham is exploring a move elsewhere, rather than taking on the opportunity to test himself in what is often considered to be the best league in the world.
All of that would lend credence to the suggestion that there is a release clause in play here, that means Sunderland are rather having their hand forced when it comes to the future of their midfielder.