Jobe Bellingham looks to have rejected his first club of the summer transfer window, as the midfielder continues to be targeted by Bundesliga clubs following Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League.
As per a report from German outlet, Sport 1, the 19-year-old has turned down a move to Eintracht Frankfurt after the Champions League outfit held talks with him earlier this week.
They are one of three clubs in Germany’s top flight to have registered their interest in the midfielder, who helped the Black Cats to Championship play-off glory on Saturday afternoon, as Tommy Watson scored a 95th minute winner to take the club back to the Premier League after eight years away.
However, despite Bellingham’s decision to reject a move to Frankfurt, that does not rule out the teenager still leaving Sunderland and instead the idea of him following in the footsteps of his brother, Jude, will only grow.
Jobe Bellingham rejects a move to Eintracht Frankfurt, but a transfer to Germany could still happen
According to Sky Sports, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are the two other clubs interested in securing the signature of the younger Bellingham brother this summer, with the first of those two German giants having a huge advantage in the race.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Jude, who is now starring for Real Madrid, joined Dortmund back in 2020 from Birmingham City after a breakout campaign when he was only 16-years-old.
He was an incredible addition to BVB, and it was clear to see just how much he enjoyed playing his football at the Signal Iduna Park until he made the switch to Spain in the summer of 2023 – winning the Champions League in his first season.
After Jobe Bellingham’s decision to reject a move to Frankfurt, it could suggest either one of two things: he will stay at Sunderland after an excellent EFL career, or a move to Dortmund is his desire as the transfer window gets ready to open on June 1.
A move to Borussia Dortmund just makes sense
Ultimately, the ambition for the teenager will be to play alongside his older brother at Real Madrid, but he needs to prove himself in one of the top leagues and in European competition if that is to happen – something that Sunderland cannot provide.
Dortmund themselves have already proven how well they can help improve a player’s attributes, and with one Bellingham already realising their potential at the club, there may be a desire from his family for Jobe to move there as well.
Sunderland are keen on keeping hold of the teenager this summer and with Premier League football secured, they do have a bargaining chip in the debate. However, with the midfielder only going to improve as the years go by, they know that sooner or later he will want to prove himself at a higher level than what the Black Cats can offer.