TBR Football can exclusively confirm that Borussia Dortmund believe they are in pole position for Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham ahead of both Manchester United and Crystal Palace.
TBR Football recently revealed that Man United and Palace are both eager to sign Bellingham in the summer transfer window.
However, Borussia Dortmund have the edge over both Premier League teams and are favourites to sign the 19-year-old this summer.
TBR Football can reveal how Dortmund have the inside track on Bellingham, making them favourites ahead of Manchester United and Crystal Palace.
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Borussia Dortmund’s UK scout is the brother of Jobe Bellingham’s former Birmingham and Sunderland coach
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has confirmed that Dortmund were at Sunderland’s Championship playoff semi-final win away at Coventry on Friday night.
Daniel Dodds, Dortmund’s UK scout, is the brother of Mike Dodds, who used to coach Jobe Bellingham at Birmingham and Sunderland.
He has had the inside line on Bellingham for years, plus he is very close to the family.
“There is arguably not a club who knows more about Jobe Bellingham than Borussia Dortmund – they considered taking him when Sunderland signed him,” Bailey exclusively told TBR Football.
“They made the decision then to let him adapt to first-team football and that has worked brilliantly this season, there is not a more improved young player in England this season.
“Now Bellingham is ready for top-flight football, I firmly believe that, and so do a number of clubs.
“Young Bellingham has his choice of clubs, a host of teams are looking from Manchester United to Crystal Palace, but Dortmund could be the destination that suits them.
“The family know the club, they know they will do the right thing by him – Dortmund will be a very hard offer to turn down.”
What Jobe Bellingham can bring to Manchester United or Crystal Palace
Man United and Palace will not want to let Bellingham get away, as he’s a quality player who, at just 19 years of age, has shown incredible potential.
Bellingham – the brother of Real Madrid star and former Dortmund ace Jude Bellingham – has excelled for Sunderland this season.
The versatile talent has scored four goals and registered three assists in 40 Championship outings from central midfield.
However, he can also play as a No. 6 and a No. 10, and his strongest traits include passing, vision, football IQ, technique and ball control.
Bellingham also played the full 90 minutes for Sunderland in their meeting with Coventry, which they won 2-1 ahead of the second leg at the Stadium of Light.
On a personal level, the £20million-rated star’s performances have earned him the Championship Young Player of the Season award.
