Borussia Dortmund have regained the lead in the race to sign Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham.
Recent claims from Germany have stated the midfielder’s price is around €20-25m. This was raised to €30m as early as last week, when Sky covered Eintracht Frankfurt’s interest in him.
A source close to Eintracht Frankfurt told the outlet that they were confident of signing the Sunderland star. There’s been a development in the ongoing saga and a new price has been quoted.
A fresh report from Sky Deutschland states Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig are out of the race as the 19-year-old has decided to join BVB. The Bundesliga duo were ‘officially informed’ on Monday that he wants a move to Signal Iduna Park.
Borussia Dortmund have started negotiations with Sunderland for the England U21 international. The report states he has a €40m release clause in his contract but can leave for a lower price.
According to the report, Bellingham’s agent has a ‘handshake agreement’ with Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus for him to leave the Black Cats for €30m. They add the German club’s aim is to close the deal around €25m plus €5m bonuses.
Having initially quoted his price at €20m, Borussia Dortmund are now, via the local media, trying to present it as them securing a good deal.
Sky journalist Partick Berger reports Bellingham is currently with England U21s preparing for the upcoming U21 European championship.
Berger claims the youngster doesn’t want to travel to Slovakia and instead in the Club World Cup with Borussia Dortmund. He adds Bellingham will travel to America with his new club is all goes well.
Both Sky and Berger are reporting BVB managing director, Lars Ricken, and sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, are ‘working hard to reach a quick agreement’.
