Exclusive: Sunderland Braced for Jobe Bellingham Bidding War

Sunderland are braced for a Jobe Bellingham bidding war this summer. 

According to SportsBoom sources, a number of top clubs are keen to secure the services of the talented teenager, the younger brother of England star Jude.

The younger Bellingham, 19, signed for the Black Cats for £1.5million in 2023 and has been at the forefront of their promotion push this season.

Chelsea have entered the fray for the whizkid with owner Todd Boehly keen to buy English players this summer.

Bellingham, who has scored four goals and got three assists this term, has the added weight of expectation of being Real Madrid star Jude’s younger brother.

Like Jude, Jobe has starred in the England U21 set up and attracted suitors at Europe’s biggest clubs.

Jude thrived when he moved to Borussia Dortmund and Jobe could follow in his footsteps with a switch to the Bundesliga this summer.

Dortmund are keen to provide Jobe the same pathway to superstardom as they did for Jude, who was named Bundesliga Player of the Season during his time at the Westfalenstadion.

But they are not the only outfit interested in taking the young gun to Germany with champions Bayer Leverkusen also eying up Bellingham.

SPURS AND PALACE KEEPING TABS

Tottenham and Crystal Palace are also keeping tabs on the situation.

Sources close to the club are hopeful a return to the Premier League will give Sunderland a chance to keep Bellingham on their books.

But with the vultures circling, it appears a sale will be a formality if they miss out on the top flight.

Bellingham is under contract at the Stadium of Light until 2028 with the club believed to have a £40million price tag on his head.

If Sunderland fail to get promoted the proceeds from Bellingham’s departure would allow them to rebuild ahead of a promotion tilt next season.