Jobe Bellingham: ‘Very important’ transfer detail puts Chelsea and Man Utd on red alert

Robin Bairner
Robin Bairner
  • Updated: 17 May 2025 10:48 CDT
  • 4 min read
Jobe Bellingham, Sunderland, 2024/25
© IMAGO

Jobe Bellingham’s transfer away from Sunderland continues to gather pace, with clubs interested in the talented young midfielder given a “very important” detail to consider.

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Chelsea and Manchester United have been credited as being leading clubs in the race for the 19-year-old brother of Real Madrid star Jude, while Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford, Brighton and Nottingham Forest have also been linked with him.

But it’s not just clubs from the Premier League interested in signing Bellingham. Bundesliga sides are tracking the Sunderland ace, aware of the impact his older sibling had during a stint at Borussia Dortmund.

Current ETV
Player image Jobe Bellingham
Jobe Bellingham

M, DM (C)

Sunderland logo

Sunderland

Jobe Bellingham
Jobe Bellingham

M, DM (C)

Sunderland

Sunderland

€26.6M

ETV Range

€23.9M - €29.2M

BVB and RB Leipzig want to sign him, and Bild reports they have been joined by Eintracht Frankfurt as potential contenders for a teenager under contract with the Black Cats until 2028.

Bellingham is whittling down his options using one particularly strict piece of criteria: he wants to play Champions League football next season.

Sky Sport Deutschland reports: “It’s an open race. Borussia Dortmund are determined to sign him this summer, and RB Leipzig remain interested as well.

“Participation in the Champions League is very important for Eintracht.”

Jobe Bellingham, Sunderland
© IMAGO - Jobe Bellingham, Sunderland

Who will Jobe Bellingham sign for?

With Champions League seemingly important for Bellingham, this dramatically reduces the number of clubs that can hope to sign him.

Indeed, none of the Premier League sides are guaranteed a slot in that competition next season, although it looks likely Chelsea will get one, while Man Utd and Spurs will square off in the Europa League final for another.

RB Leipzig, meanwhile, will not play Champions League football next term, while the final day of the Bundesliga season will determine whether Dortmund and/or Eintracht Frankfurt make the grade.

In short, nothing is settle yet for Bellingham, who remains one of the players to watch in the transfer window.

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