Jobe Bellingham’s Sunderland future has been a talking point throughout this season, and now a new update has emerged ahead of the Championship playoff final.
Sunderland 90 minutes away from the Premier League
The Black Cats are preparing for one of the biggest games in their recent history on Saturday afternoon, as they battle Sheffield United at Wembley for a place back in the Premier League.
It is a mammoth occasion for both sides, in what is considered the most valuable game in the English football calendar, and Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has said that his players have matched his pre-season expectations of them.
“We are exactly where we wanted to be. In our first meeting in this room, I asked them what is the purpose of the season and they told me they wanted to get promoted. Here we are. We’ll have this opportunity.”
The difference between victory and defeat on Saturday cannot be downplayed, with Sunderland knowing that a return to the Premier League will not only allow them to sign better players this summer, but also give them a better chance of retaining the services of current Stadium of Light heroes, from Bellingham to Chris Rigg.
The former has been linked with a move to follow in his brother’s footsteps by joining Borussia Dortmund, and there has been a development in that story ahead of the final.
Dortmund confident after talks with Bellingham
According to Bild [via Sport Witness], Bellingham has held “fruitful” talks with Borussia Dortmund over a summer move to the European giants, who now believe they are well placed to sign him.
It is stated that several Premier League clubs are also in the race to sign the youngster, however, with champions Liverpool mentioned as potential suitors. Much will hinge on the playoff final result, with defeat for the Black Cats almost certainly meaning he will leave.
If Saturday’s game isn’t big enough already, Sunderland will know that beating the Blades will give them a far greater chance of keeping Bellingham, which is a major incentive. The 19-year-old has been such an influential performer throughout the season, starting 41 Championship matches and being lauded by captain Dan Neil, who said of him back in 2023.
“He makes me look like a 17-year-old. He’s an absolute freak of nature, physically. I have never seen a 17-year-old that size. Technically, he is a top, top, player as well.”
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In truth, Sunderland can’t necessarily expect Bellingham to stay if they remain in the Championship next season, with the Englishman no doubt having big ambitions.
The lure of testing himself in the Premier League for the Black Cats isn’t out of the question, though, so it’s a case of them getting the job done this weekend.
