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Sunderland AFC could soon face a major setback as Borussia Dortmund intensifies efforts to sign rising midfield star Jobe Bellingham. According to new reports out of Germany, the Bundesliga giants are making a strong push to complete the transfer swiftly, aiming to secure the deal ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 14.
The 19-year-old sensation has been pivotal for Sunderland this season and has emerged as one of the Championship’s most exciting young talents. Despite his famous last name, Jobe has built a reputation on his own merit since arriving from Birmingham City two years ago. His commanding performances—both offensively and defensively—were especially notable in the club’s recent play-off semi-final win over Coventry City.
With Sunderland’s hopes of Premier League promotion now hinging on the outcome of the Championship play-off final against Sheffield United, the club’s ability to retain Bellingham could depend entirely on that result. A failure to go up is widely expected to trigger his departure, leaving a significant void in midfield and a race among top clubs across Europe to land his signature.
According to Sky Sports Germany’s Patrick Berger, Dortmund are now in an aggressive mode to close the deal. The German club reportedly wants the transfer completed before their Club World Cup campaign begins, giving them only a three-week window. While no official bid has yet been submitted to either Sunderland or the player, insiders believe offers will arrive shortly after the final.
The fee being discussed is between €25–30 million (£21–25 million)—a valuation that mirrors the amount Dortmund paid for Jobe’s older brother, Jude Bellingham, when they signed him from Birmingham in 2020. That move famously launched Jude into global stardom and set the stage for a massive transfer to Real Madrid.
But Dortmund aren’t alone in their pursuit. Fellow Bundesliga side RB Leipzig are also said to be “pushing hard” for Jobe, as confirmed by Berger’s colleague Florian Plettenberg. The teenager’s exceptional development has attracted widespread attention, and his departure from Sunderland seems increasingly inevitable without promotion.
Still, it’s not guaranteed that Jobe will follow the same path as his brother. While Dortmund has a track record of nurturing top-tier talents like Jude and Erling Haaland, Jobe may opt to carve out a distinct identity. His decision to wear just “Jobe” on the back of his Sunderland shirt instead of “Bellingham” underscores his desire to step out of his brother’s shadow and be recognized on his own terms.
The coming weeks will be decisive for both Sunderland and Jobe Bellingham. Should the Black Cats fail to achieve promotion, they may be forced to accept the reality of losing their prized asset, as two of Germany’s footballing powerhouses circle with offers in hand.
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