Bellingham eyes Dortmund
Jobe Bellingham wants to join Borussia Dortmund – but Sunderland are refusing to let him leave cheaply.
Sun Sport reported earlier how the German giants were confident they would beat Frankfurt to the signing of the 19-year-old midfielder.
Dortmund, like Frankfurt, were prepared to offer Sunderland £21million plus add-ons for the ace and are offering him the chance to play at this month’s Club World Cup.
Supporters of Sunderland, who were last week celebrating winning the Championship play-off final, were hopeful that the lure of being the first Bellingham to play in the Premier League might help them keep the midfielder for at least one more season.
But Dortmund director Sebastian Kehl headed to Ibiza, where Jobe is holidaying with Jude and friends, for further talks with the Bellingham family and that has swayed it for them.
They are keen to complete the transfer in time for him to feature in the opening Club World Cup match against Brazilian giants Fluminense in New Jersey on June 17.
Though Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is reluctant to lose one of Regis Le Bris’ top assets.
And although they gave the green light for the ace to have talks elsewhere, they have no intentions to let him leave unless his release clause, believed to be around £33.5m, is met.
