‘Sunderland get great news’ as new Jobe Bellingham details emerge
Jobe Bellingham has completed his move to Borussia Dortmund despite Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League.
Football Insider exclusively revealed that Bellingham had verbally agreed to join Dortmund last month (28 May), and the switch was officially confirmed on Tuesday (10 June).
The 19-year-old is now the Black Cats’ record sale, after it emerged that they accepted a bid of an initial £27million with a further payment of around £4million due in add-ons.
Bellingham’s final game for the club was their Championship play-off final win against Sheffield United, which saw them clinch promotion back to the Premier League.
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 – insisted it was a great move for all parties, despite the fact that Sunderland are losing one of their best players.
‘Bellingham departure was bound to happen’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained that it is “great” for Sunderland that Bellingham didn’t go to one of their Premier League competitors, as his departure was “always going to happen”.
The midfielder is following in the footsteps of his brother, Jude, who spent three years at Dortmund between 2020 and 2023.
Wyness revealed his connection to the father of the Bellingham brothers, who he believes “hasn’t put a foot wrong” in helping to develop the pair.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “For Sunderland, I think it was going to happen, and I think it’s great that he hasn’t gone to a competitor in the Premier League.
“I don’t think they could turn it down. When I looked at some of Sunderland’s recent trading, I think there have been about four players they’ve sold for about 70 million, so they’ve done a great job there.
“I know the Bellingham family, I know the father, and I have nothing but the highest respect for the way he has conducted his sons’ careers.
“I think it is great for Jobe to go to Dortmund. It’s a proven track, I think the family knows the situation there.
“The father has played a blinder. He hasn’t put a foot wrong in developing the talents that his sons have.”
Sunderland in race to sign Coufal
Meanwhile, Football Insider has exclusively revealed (11 June) that Sunderland are interested in signing Vladimir Coufal on a free transfer.
Fellow promoted sides Leeds and Burnley are also monitoring the Czech Republic international’s situation, as are Wolves and Fulham.
Coufal, 32, is a free agent this summer after leaving West Ham upon the expiration of his contract following five years with the Irons.
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