A Bundesliga move awaits Jobe Bellingham, with Dortmund leading the race, but Jurgen Klopp may well tempt the Sunderland star to choose RB Leipzig.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Bellingham expected to leave SunderlandBVB currently leading the raceKlopp could lure Sunderland star to a rival teamFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to , Bellingham is "right at the top" of the wish list of Borussia Dortmund officials Lars Ricken and Sebastian Kehl. The decision has been made to make an approach to the younger brother of former Dortmund player Jude Bellingham. The approximated cost of the operation is believed to be €25-30 million. However, Klopp, who is currently the Global Head of Football at Red Bull, could tempt the Sunderland star to choose Dortmund's Bundesliga rivals in RB Leipzig.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
BVB have a particular advantage when it comes to signing the 19-year-old central midfielder from Sunderland; contact with the Bellingham family, especially with father Mark, has never been broken since Jude's departure for Real Madrid. In addition, Jobe regularly visited Dortmund when his brother was still playing there. He, therefore, knows the environment and the people in charge.
The scouting department, which once discovered Jude, is said to be enthusiastic and completely convinced of Jobe's abilities. In addition, those responsible are particularly impressed by the physical development of the 19-year-old, who is now said to be 1.91 metres tall. Bellingham is now a member of England's U21 national team and was also named the Championship's best young player. He has made 40 appearances (4 goals, 3 assists) in the current season.
DID YOU KNOW?
If the transfer goes through, Dortmund will not be looking to sign loan player Carney Chukwuemeka on a permanent basis, according to reports. Although the 21-year-old loan player impressed greatly when he did play, he rarely saw any action. Chukwuemeka arrived in Dortmund in the winter with a significant fitness deficit and often struggled with muscle problems.
The catch, though, is that Klopp is determined to sign Jobe for Leipzig, despite his overall package and the fact that he is contracted to Sunderland until 2028, could prove to be obstacles in the operation.
Getty Images SportWHAT'S NEXT?
In addition to Jobe, Rayan Cherki is also a must-have signing for Dortmund in the summer after the third attempt to sign him. A winter transfer had reportedly fallen through because Lyon owner John Textor did not stick to the agreement with Cherki to let him go for an offer of €22.5 million.
Coach Niko Kovac is said to have already spoken to Cherki, who is having a strong season (12 goals, 19 assists) despite personal frustration over the failed winter transfer. According to , a transfer in the summer would now cost Dortmund €30 million.
Jadon Sancho is not expected to play a role in the plans of the BVB bosses. Recently, English media had repeatedly reported that Dortmund were planning to bring the 25-year-old back and could possibly get Sancho in exchange for Jamie Gittens, who is looking to leave. However, Ricken, Kehl and Co. have now clearly agreed not to pursue Sancho, who is currently on loan from Manchester United to Chelsea.