Borussia Dortmund are keen on signing Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham in the summer window.
A week ago, Ruhr Nachrichten reported BVB manager Niko Kovač, managing director Lars Ricken, and sporting director Sebastian Kehl, made a trip to Newcastle to hold talks for the 19-year-old’s transfer.
Two days later, we covered claims from Germany that the Bundesliga clubs’ efforts to sign the Sunderland star are becoming more concrete.
On Monday, Kehl said the BVB delegation’s trip to England was to do homework on the possibility of signing the midfielder. Ricken was the guest on Ruhr Nachrichten‘s 19:09 – der schwarzgelbe Talk.
During the chat, the Borussia Dortmund managing director refused to confirm his side’s interest but hailed the Sunderland player.
“For his age, he’s an exceptional player, but every club with a scouting department knows that,” he said.
Ruhr Nachrichten state this indicates there’s fierce competition to secure the England U21 international’s services.
The official even suggested that Champions League qualification would be needed to get the deal over the line. Borussia Dortmund are currently fifth, a point behind fourth placed SC Freiburg.
“Everyone wants this stage. The players who are with us, the players with whom we’re talking about a transfer,” Ricken explained.
In January, BVB signed Chelsea’s Carney Chukwuemeka on loan with an option to buy set at €35m. Sky Deutschland state the German club won’t buy him if they are successful in acquiring Bellingham’s signature or another midfielder.
Chukwuemeka, 21, has struggled with injuries and that seem to be holding them back to bet on him. In addition to this, Bellingham will cost ‘significantly less’ than the Blues man as the Black Cats are asking around €25-30m.
