The latest on Jobe Bellingham's Sunderland future amid Borussia Dortmund interest

Sunderland Echo

On the latest episode of the Roar podcast, Phil Smith dissects the latest news surrounding Jobe Bellingham and his potential move to Borussia Dortmund.

Transcript

00:00What can you tell us about that?

00:01Where does Sunderland currently stand with that?

00:03And does his future look as if it's going to be lying away from Wiesland?

00:08Yeah, I think it's starting to look very much like that.

00:11I mean, I have to say from a Sunderland perspective, it's very, very quiet.

00:15I think they're determined to kind of keep their counsel on this one.

00:18But I think from the conversations that I've been having,

00:22I think the time on events is clearly that Bellingham,

00:25I think as everyone knows, has been weighing up his options

00:27and having a bit of a breather.

00:28At the end of the season.

00:31I think that it's fairly obvious to me that a lot of work was done

00:37in terms of, I think when Bellingham arrived two years ago,

00:40I think Sunderland always knew there'd be a scenario like this

00:43where top clubs in Europe were circling.

00:45I think that this is something that would definitely have happened

00:48if Sunderland hadn't got promoted.

00:50I think Sunderland getting promoted has maybe just added a layer

00:54of extra decision-making for the player himself

00:57in terms of whether we want him to make that step up with Sunderland,

01:00particularly I think because he's developed some really strong bonds here

01:04and we've all seen that in his celebrations.

01:07But it does, you know, certainly Dortmund are of the belief

01:10that Bellingham now wants to join them.

01:12He appears to have indicated to them that he's prepared to join them

01:14and to the other clubs who are interested that he's made that decision.

01:17So now it's just about negotiation, really.

01:22From my understanding, there is a release clause of around,

01:25I think it works out at about £34 million.

01:29Dortmund don't particularly want to pay that.

01:31Sunderland want them to pay that.

01:32Now, as it usually happens in this, I suspect we'll end up about somewhere

01:37in the middle.

01:38I think the final fee, if it does get agreed, will probably end up

01:41around that level, but potentially is with add-ons and part of it

01:44wrapped up in clauses, as is usually the case.

01:47So sitting here now, Jason, I'd be really surprised if Bellingham

01:50doesn't sign for Dortmund.

01:52But of course, Sunderland are in a fairly strong position contractually,

01:55so they will haggle.

01:56Dortmund want this done because they want to take him to the Club World Cup.

01:59And obviously, this mini-transfer window ahead of that Club World Cup

02:03shuts on June 10th.

02:04So they're really keen to try and get this wrapped up.

02:07And I think it's in Sunderland's interest to have a quick resolution

02:09because obviously they want to plan for next season.

02:11So I think from a Sunderland perspective, although, as I say,

02:13it's been very quiet at this end.

02:14I think it's a case of getting a good deal while also getting a good

02:19speedy resolution so they can kind of get on with it.

02:22Very difficult task, let's be honest, of replacing Job

02:24and getting the squad ready for next season.

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