Sunderland AFC told to seek "more than £25m" for £12.5k-a-week star | OneFootball

FLW's Sunderland fan pundit has given his verdict on Borussia Dortmund's £25m pursuit of Jobe Bellingham

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Borussia Dortmund have shortlisted Jobe Bellingham as a priority transfer target this summer after his impressive performances for Sunderland.

According to The Times, the Bundesliga outfit are confident they can agree a deal with the Black Cats worth up to £25 million.

The midfielder joined the Wearside outfit in the summer of 2023 from Birmingham City and has earned a reputation as one of the most exciting young prospects in the Championship.

But any decision on the player’s future likely won’t be made until Sunderland’s play-off campaign concludes, with the team 2-1 ahead going into their semi-final second leg with Coventry City.

Jobe Bellingham valuation claim

When asked whether the £25 million valuation is fair, FLW’s Sunderland fan pundit Jack Austwicke claimed that the club should hold out for more, if promoted to the Premier League.

While he believes the £12.5k-a-week star will go regardless of promotion, he believes that the club will be able to hold out for a bigger transfer fee or else they could hold onto him.

“I think if we got promoted we’d want to hold onto him, but if it’s not possible then we’ll definitely want more than £25m,” Austwicke told Football League World.

“Because at that point he’s a Premier League player, and he would play week-in and week-out in the Premier League.

“But I don’t see why we couldn’t hold onto him.

“No deal is going to be agreed before we’re promoted, they’re not going to be doing any transfer business at all during this period, I’m very confident of that.

“So, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see but I’ll be surprised if they let him go for less than that, if we’re a Premier League club.

“Because I do think we could get more, but at this point I think he’s going to go regardless.”

The play-off final will take place on 24 May, with Sheffield United and Sunderland both holding leads going into the semi-final second legs taking place this week.

Bellingham will be worth more as a Premier League player

The £25 million valuation being touted now would be reasonable if Sunderland aren’t promoted, but that price tag will surely go up if they win the play-offs.

The Black Cats would be holding out for up to potentially £40 million if they suddenly become a Premier League club.

While it would be a blow to lose him if promoted, that kind of fee could make it worthwhile, and would certainly give Sunderland money they could put back into the first team squad.