Borussia Dortmund Pushing to Sign £25m Sunderland Star – Report | OneFootball

Jobe Bellingham and Borussia Dortmund: A Reunion That Makes Sense

Borussia Dortmund are no strangers to nurturing English talent, and they appear to be returning to familiar territory. According to The Times, the Bundesliga side have made Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham a top summer target, with a £25 million deal being lined up — the same fee they paid for his elder brother, Jude, five years ago.

At first glance, the story draws easy parallels. The family name. The fee. The destination. But beyond the obvious, Dortmund’s interest in Jobe is rooted in a clear, strategic vision — one they’ve executed before with considerable success.

Dortmund are known for giving youth a genuine platform. From Jude Bellingham to Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland, the club have forged a reputation as Europe’s most effective talent incubator. And now, they believe Jobe Bellingham — still just 19 — is next in line.

Jobe Bellingham Making his own Name

Though comparisons with his brother are inevitable, Jobe Bellingham is on his own path. Since leaving Birmingham City in 2023, he has made 87 appearances for Sunderland, scoring 11 goals and becoming a mainstay in the team despite his age. His development has been steady, not sensational, but that’s often the hallmark of a player who matures into something special.

“He is under contract at Sunderland until 2028 and has attracted admiring glances from elsewhere,” The Times report adds. That long-term deal gives Sunderland a strong negotiating position, but it’s also a signal of how highly the club rates him. However, the pull of Dortmund — both emotionally and professionally — may prove difficult to resist.

Sources in Germany suggest the club are determined to land the England under-21 international. Their relationship with the Bellingham family remains strong — an intangible yet powerful factor in any potential deal. That familiarity and trust could be key to unlocking this move.

Dortmund’s Proven Model of Talent Development

It’s easy to forget how transformative Jude Bellingham’s time in Germany was. Signed at 17, thrust into a Champions League squad, and ultimately sold to Real Madrid for around £115 million, his rise was meteoric. But crucially, it was also meticulously managed.

Dortmund’s role in that journey wasn’t incidental — it was instrumental.

“They signed Jude from Birmingham City for a similar fee in 2020,” The Times notes. During his time at Signal Iduna Park, Jude became one of the most complete midfielders in Europe, earning international recognition with England along the way. Jobe, understandably, “is keen not to encourage comparisons,” but it’s clear that Dortmund are betting on a similar trajectory.

In a market where Premier League clubs are often reluctant to risk youth, Dortmund offer a different route — one built on game time, patience, and elite coaching. It’s no wonder they remain an appealing option for English prospects.

Sunderland’s Position and Championship Realities

For Sunderland, the timing of Dortmund’s interest is both a compliment and a concern. Jobe started the Championship semi-final play-off first leg against Coventry City on Friday night, a sign of his importance to the squad. Promotion to the Premier League could shift the dynamics of this potential transfer — adding either bargaining power or incentive, depending on the result.

At 19, Jobe has already clocked over 100 senior appearances. That’s no small feat in the physically demanding EFL. He’s robust, tactically aware, and increasingly influential in the final third. With Dortmund likely to lose key midfielders this summer, there’s a logic to their pursuit — and a readiness to integrate him swiftly.

Final Thoughts

Dortmund’s pursuit of Jobe Bellingham is not nostalgia-driven — it’s strategic. It speaks to a well-honed recruitment model and a belief in the individual potential of a young English midfielder forging his own way. The £25 million fee might raise eyebrows, but in today’s market, it could prove a bargain.

As The Times rightly point out, Dortmund’s interest isn’t casual — it’s determined. And if Jobe decides to follow in his brother’s footsteps, he won’t be walking in his shadow — he’ll be charting a new path on a familiar road.