Report: Jobe Bellingham set to join Borussia Dortmund from Sunderland

The 19-year-old midfielder, instrumental in Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League, is set to join the Bundesliga giants in a deal that has sparked excitement across European football.

Multiple sources confirm Dortmund have agreed a fee with Sunderland, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano stating the base amount stands at 33 million euros, plus up to 5 million euros in add-ons. Sunderland have also negotiated a 15% sell-on clause, ensuring they benefit from any future transfer.

Other reports, including from Sky Sports, suggest the initial fee could be closer to 30 million euros, while German outlet Bild pegs it at 31.5 million euros. Regardless of the exact figure, the transfer marks a club-record sale for Sunderland, surpassing the 30 million pounds Everton paid for Jordan Pickford in 2017.

The deal came after weeks of intense negotiations. Dortmund, determined to land the versatile midfielder, raised their initial offer to meet Sunderland's valuation, outpacing competition from Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig.

Bellingham, who played 90 times for Sunderland since joining from Birmingham City in 2023, is expected to undergo a medical on Monday, and could feature in Dortmund's FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the United States, starting June 14. His ability to play as a defensive or box-to-box midfielder, combined with his standout performances in the Championship, earned him the EFL Young Player of the Season award in April 2025.

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris praised Bellingham's impact, having said: "He's incredibly interesting. His personality is great; he's extremely competitive, extremely intense."

Meanwhile, former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray, who coached Bellingham in 2023, emphasized his desire for individuality: "He doesn't want to live off his brother's name; he wants to be the footballer he is and show people what he can do."

Dortmund's track record of developing young talents like Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, and Jadon Sancho played a key role in Jobe's decision. The club's sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, has said: "We see Jobe as a perfect fit for our system, with the potential to become a world-class player." The move also reunites the Bellingham name with Dortmund, where Jude flourished before his 2023 transfer to Real Madrid.

For Sunderland, losing Bellingham is a blow, but the substantial fee and sell-on clause provide resources to strengthen their squad for the Premier League.

As Jobe prepares to don Dortmund's iconic yellow and black, fans are eager to see if he can replicate his brother's meteoric rise. With the Club World Cup looming, the stage is set for the teenager to make an immediate impact.