Sunderland is in talks with Birmingham for the signing of Jobe Bellingham. The midfielder, who is Jude’s younger brother and an England international, attended Sunderland’s Championship Play-Off match against Luton last Saturday at the Stadium of Light as a guest. When the two were both at Birmingham, Sunderland’s first-team coach Mike Dodds is credited for aiding Jude’s ascent as a player. Sunderland is seeking to sign some of Europe’s top young talent and work on developing them.
Sunderland believes Jobe Bellingham, who is 17 years old, can develop under Dodds’ direct supervision. Another important member of the team who is a former Birmingham resident is Sunderland’s sporting director Kristjaan Speakman. According to estimates, the teenager might cost Sunderland over £3 million. His contract with Birmingham expires in a year, and he is open to the thought of switching to another Championship team. Following this week’s two-legged loss to Luton, Sunderland was denied a spot in the play-off final.
Real Madrid is also interested in signing Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain, Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund, and Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich this summer. Bellingham was the subject of advanced negotiations, but no formal offer has been made for the 19-year-old midfielder as of yet. The three-year agreement Mbappe signed last summer is confirmed to be divided into a two-year term with an additional year’s option. The additional year is a player option, thus Mbappe has the choice of whether to exercise it or not.
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