Borussia Dortmund has officially agreed to a deal with Sunderland to sign 19-year-old midfielder Jobe Bellingham for up to £31m, making him Sunderland’s most expensive sale to date. The transfer includes an initial £26.96m fee plus £4.2m in add-ons. 

Following the footsteps of his brother

Jobe's move to Dortmund closely mirrors the path of his older brother Jude Bellingham. They are both from Birmingham City’s youth system and have secured transfers to the Bundesliga elite teams.

Jude joined Dortmund at 17, later becoming Bundesliga Player of the Season before moving to Real Madrid. Now, Jobe takes on the same challenge, wearing his first name on his shirt to carve out his own legacy without carrying his brother’s hard-earned fame.

Bellingham’s performance

In an interview, he said he loves playing as a box-to-box midfielder because he can maximise his potential in this position. This fits his role as he is an agile and aggressive player, and his versatility as an athlete allows him to take on the role better. 

Jobe made a strong impression at Sunderland, helping the team win promotion to the Premier League in the 2024â€?5 season. He made 43 appearances, scored four goals, and provided three assists for the team. He was also awarded the Championship’s Young Player of the Year this May. 

Upcoming match preparations

If Bellingham’s move is completed on time, he could play in the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States, from 14 June to 13 July. Dortmund was placed in the Group F alongside teams like Fluminense, Ulsan HD, and Mamelodi Sundowns. 

His brother Jude, currently playing for Real Madrid, is in Group H. Because they’re in different groups, there’s a chance that a brother vs. brother faceoff will happen in the quarter finals. 

The young star’s potential

Jobe has already shown his determination and adaptability. His skills were noticed by the current Sunderland boss, Regis le Bris, and he said, ‘I like him as a number eight because he's an offensive midfielder. He can express his power, his ability to run and his ability to press, to link defence and attack.�/p>

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini also believes this transfer is the right step forward for the young star. ‘It’s a way of stepping up, maybe with a little less pressure,�he said.

Did Dortmund make the right call?

Yes. Dortmund made the right call by acquiring Jobe Bellingham as one of their primary players on the roster. His current skills may not be as good as his brother, Jude Bellingham, but his progress towards being a better player is moving fast. 

Even though the transfer set back the team more than £30 million, they just spent their money on one of their best investments. 

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Chelsea FC is on its way to making big moves in the summer transfer window. It is targeting two rising stars: Dean Huijsen and Jobe Bellingham. The club is ready to outbid European rivals, including Real Madrid and Bundesliga teams, to secure their signatures.

Chelsea vs Real Madrid for Huijsen

Dean Huijsen, a 19-year-old defender from AFC Bournemouth, has gained interest from Real Madrid. His father’s recent visit to Madrid's grounds has made a buzz in the football community. 

Chelsea is ready to pay his â‚?0M release clause and offer higher wages. Dean, though, has only openly supported Los Blancos, which may also hint at his decision. 

Jobe Bellingham in high demand

Jobe Bellingham, the younger brother of Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, is another top target this summer. The 19-year-old midfielder has shown top-notch plays, which drew interest from Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.

Chelsea is willing to pay around £40M to bring Jobe to Stamford Bridge. However, Bundesliga clubs are also keen, so his price could increase, making Chelsea's bid tough.

These moves align well with the Blues' plan to invest in young talent for the future. As the transfer window nears, all eyes will be on whether Chelsea can outbid its rivals and land these young stars.

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