In a year where Sunderland have produced some major youth talents, two European heavyweights have began to show interest in one of their prized assets.
Both Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham have emerged as the leading midfield pair in the Championship this season, and whilst Manchester United amongst other Premier League sides have thrown their hat in the ring for 17-year-old Rigg, clubs from further afield are targeting the former Birmingham City player.
Following Jude’s Footsteps
Since joining in 2023, the 19-year-old has played 64 times at the Stadium of Light and with Sunderland’s resurgence under new manager Regis Le Bris with youth players at the heart of the side, top-flight clubs have begun to monitor the Wearside club.
And in Jobe’s instance, it is two clubs familiar to the Bellingham family that are pursuing his signature. According to journalist Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid are now in the mix to sign the midfielder. Any move will be made in the summer as The Black Cats seek a return to the Premier League and ruling any January offers out.
It was the German club where his brother Jude was forged into one of world football’s best players, with Madrid now reaping the rewards of that effort. It is not the first time interest has been shown in him, with Tottenham Hotspur failing to sign him over the summer as he chose to stick with Sunderland.
Writer’s View
If any European clubs were coming for Jobe Bellingham, it would have been the two sides affiliated with Jude Bellingham. With how quickly he is developing, a failed promotion bid would certainly spell the end of Jobe’s time at Sunderland. An interesting case can be made with both Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. With Toni Kroos retired and Luka Modric not too far away from that point too, Los Blancos will want new midfield talent and who better to pair alongside Jude than his own sibling? Dortmund are probably the club in world football when it comes to developing young talent. When choosing between the two, it would be more favourable to head to the banks of the Rhine.
