Last week, Ruhr Nachrichten reported Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovač, managing director Lars Ricken, and sporting director Sebastian Kehl, all travelled to England to hold talks for Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham.
They also stated the Bundesliga club are intensifying their efforts to try and sign the 19-year-old in the summer window.
A day later, we covered claims from Germany that BVB are serious about the Sunderland star. They also explained that Champions League qualification is needed, otherwise it’s difficult to carry out the operation.
WAZ covers comments made by the Borussia Dortmund sporting director about their trip to Newcastle for Bellingham last Wednesday. Kehl claims they were doing homework but refused to get into more details of the potential negotiations.
“Of course, I won’t say anything about these topics now. It sometimes happens that this has come up. We’re doing our homework. We have to do that,” he said.
The England U21 international’s contract is until 2028 and WAZ report the Black Cats are valuing him at €25m. The German club official admitted they have a few players on their agenda, but their immediate focus is to see where they finish this season.
Borussia Dortmund are fifth in the table, a point behind fourth placed SC Freiburg, with a game to go.
“Nevertheless, a lot is open, regardless of the issues. We currently have our own homework. We have a few players we’re thinking about,” Kehl explained.
“But for now, let’s focus on this game. Because the next two [one game] games will be crucial.”
