Liverpool are now preparing an offer for an “outstanding” £77m striker, who is being targeted by a whole host of Europe’s top clubs, according to a report.

Reds stepping up pursuit of new striker

Darwin Nunez hasn’t been at the races this season, with the Uruguayan picking up just seven goals in all competitions, which is way below the number expected of a £85m player, so it is little wonder that the Reds are now stepping up their pursuit of a striker.

Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui is one option the Merseysiders have in mind, given the Italian’s stellar goal return this season, while they have started work on the signing of West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen, who could be an alternative to Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak.

Last week, it was revealed that RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is also on the shortlist, with Arne Slot’s side said to be keen on a move for the forward, with Nunez looking increasingly likely to exit Anfield at the end of the season.

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There has since been a new update on Liverpool’s pursuit of Sesko, with a report from Caught Offside revealing they are now preparing a bid for the forward, but there could be fierce competition for his signature.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are also planning to make offers for the Slovenian, while Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain headline the interest from abroad, and a deal is now expected to be on the expensive side.

Leipzig are said to have set an asking price of €80m – €90m (£68m – £77m), in light of the widespread interest in the 21-year-old’s signature, although the interested parties have reservations about shelling out a fee in that ballpark.

"Outstanding" Sesko could be "better than Haaland"

Scout/writer Jacek Kulig has praised the starlet in the past, describing him as “outstanding”, while his teammates also hold him in very high regard, having stated he is a better player than Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.

Speaking in May last year, Sesko told the Gegenpress podcast: “My teammates at the club tell me that Haaland and I are very similar, especially in terms of speed. Most of them even tell me that I’m better than him.”

Much like the Man City star, the Slovenia international is an imposing figure, standing at 6 foot 5, and he has been very impressive in front of goal for Leipzig this season, picking up 13 goals and five assists in 31 Bundesliga outings.

With Nunez falling way short of expectations this season, Slot definitely needs to bring in a replacement this summer, and Sesko produced a stunning goal last weekend that even the most optimistic of Reds fans could envision Nunez toe-poking straight into the fans behind the goal.

Arsenal are set to reach out for talks with a highly-rated forward, with one key issue thwarting Barcelona and their attempts to sign the player.

Andrea Berta plans summer rebuild at Arsenal

This highly-anticipated summer transfer window at Arsenal will be sporting director Andrea Berta’s first since his appointment in late March.

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Much has been made of Berta’s arrival after 12 fruitful years working for Atlético Madrid, where he orchestrated some high-profile deals and made a real name for himself as an astute operator in La Liga.

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

Southampton (away)

May 25th

Mikel Arteta and Berta are set to work in tandem on the club’s transfer plans ahead of a potentially more successful Premier League title challenge next campaign, and some reports suggest that the Gunners could splash up to £300 million on new signings, in what would be a major rebuild.

Left-back Kieran Tierney is set to join Celtic when his contract expires, while Jorginho is also in line to leave on a Bosman in July as things stand. Arsenal are working to extend Thomas Partey’s contract, but there is no guarantee they will reach an agreement on terms, with ESPN reporting the Ghanaian will have to take a pay-cut.

Oleksandr Zinchenko will be put up for sale by Arsenal as well, and back-up keeper Neto is set to return to parent club Bournemouth when his contract expires.

With uncertainty surrounding the long-term futures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard right now, there is also a firm belief that Arsenal could look to sign a new winger on either flank, not to mention a main man to lead the line.

It is set to be a busy debut summer for Berta in N5, and a diverse range of targets are being linked, especially in the attacking areas. It is no secret that Arsenal need a prolific forward to lead the line, which was made all the more evident by Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus’ long-term injury absences.

Arsenal set to contact Ademola Lookman as obstacle thwarts Barcelona move

Versatile Atalanta star Ademola Lookman could be Arteta and Berta’s solution, following another excellent Serie A campaign, where he’s bagged 18 goals in all competitions.

The Nigerian, who scored a hat-trick in last year’s Europa League final to win Atalanta the trophy and end Bayer Leverkusen’s historic 23/24 unbeaten run, has predominantly played as a second striker under Gian Piero Gasperini this term.

However, he’s also starred as a traditional centre-forward across 24/25, whilst being used out-wide occasionally, and this could really appeal to Arteta.

CaughtOffside report that Arsenal are planning to hold talks with Lookman, with a “serious obstacle” threatening Barcelona’s attempts to sign the 27-year-old. The Catalans’ financial problems mean they’re unlikely to afford his expected £55 million price tag, opening the door for Berta and other elite English sides to tempt him.

The African could be a versatile alternative to Matheus Cunha, who is believed to be on the verge of joining Man United (Fabrizio Romano). Called a “top player” by Gasperini, a move back to the Premier League appears to be a serious option for him.

Whilst promotion back up to the Championship was joyously celebrated, everyone at Birmingham City will have known in that moment that this was just the first step in the Blues’ mission to restore the club to its previous grandeur.

After all, Chris Davies’ giants were Premier League regulars all through the noughties, with an unbelievable EFL Cup trophy success even coming their way in 2011 when Alex McLeish was at the helm.

The desire up a division from Birmingham’s perspective will be to compete with the top dogs of the division again, therefore, with a new addition here and there this summer undoubtedly improving the Blues’ chances before they officially get underway in the challenging league.

How Birmingham could strengthen this summer

Much like Wrexham who will want to spend big after promotion, Birmingham won’t be shirking away from attempting to land statement buys to make an impression in the Championship.

Already, the ambitious Blues have been tipped to bring back Che Adams to St. Andrew’s to enhance their impressive attacking personnel, with their interest also stretching out to potentially adding in Premier League experienced Mark Travers in goal.

But, the deal on everyone’s lips at Birmingham is the one that could see Peterborough United superstar Kwame Poku enter the building shortly, with reports last month suggesting that there is a lucrative £30k-per-week deal on the table for the Ghanaian to jump up a division.

Whilst the “outstanding” EFL performer – as he’s been labelled by journalist Lukman Evergreen – has been known to fire home goal after goal for Darren Ferguson’s Posh at a devastating rate, he has also shown throughout his bright stint in Cambridgeshire to date his unselfish approach when teeing up teammates for countless opportunities.

How Poku could make Stansfield better

Poku’s arrival on the scene could end up making everyone around him even better, judging by his unplayable wing play, but it’s Jay Stansfield who will no doubt be licking his lips the most at the idea of linking up with the in-demand 23-year-old.

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Whilst the 22-year-old striker is unquestionably one of the finest talents to recently grace the third tier – seen in his 19 league strikes across 2024/25 – he is arguably not the finished product yet in the league above.

Indeed, the former Exeter City forward has only amassed 12 Championship goals across his varied career to date.

But, with Poku by his side who will be equally keen to prove himself in his new terrain, he should be able to keep up his blistering League One form.

Games played

37

27

Goals scored

19

12

Assists

3

8

Shots*

2.7

2.4

Touches*

29.0

46.3

Accurate passes*

8.1 (69%)

20.3 (80%)

Big chances missed

13

3

Big chances created

6

9

Combined last season in League One, the dynamite duo would pick up a mammoth 42 goals and assists across 64 appearances, meaning the thought of both of them together under Davies’ wing in the Championship is a frightening prospect.

Eight of Poku’s sizeable 20 goal contributions for the season would fall into the assist category too, with the 23-year-old far more comfortable than his counterpart in roaming forward and creating openings, seen in his far higher amount of touches averaged per league clash.

Whereas, the Birmingham number 28 excels more as a poacher waiting in the box to pounce, with the 22-year-old perhaps capable of finishing off even more opportunities moving forward if Poku was supplying him with chances galore.

With Poku down the right wing and Stansfield as a number ten, Davies could make his attacking options even deadlier by landing the aforementioned Adams as an out-and-out centre-forward, with this potential front three running rings around Championship defences.

Of course, no such statement deals have crossed the line just yet, but expect Davies’ side to look unfazed by the pressures of Championship action if Poku enters the building very soon.

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Manchester City are reportedly in pole position to pip Liverpool to the signing of an “excellent” player in the summer transfer window.

Busy summer of transfers expected at Man City

By City’s high standards, this season has been a huge disappointment, even though there is an FA Cup final against Crystal Palace to look forward to later this month. Pep Guardiola’s side’s defence of their Premier League had faded by Christmas, and they also failed to reach the Champions League knockout rounds.

For that reason, a big summer is needed when it comes to new signings, as City look to bring in fresh faces who can take them back to the top of the league, with older heroes such as Kevin De Bruyne moving on.

Monaco youngster Eliesse Ben Seghir has been linked with a move to the Etihad ahead of next season, with the 20-year-old winger already scoring 15 times in 80 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

Meanwhile, Hugo Larsson has been mentioned as an option to bolster City’s midfield, with younger legs required after a tough campaign for the likes of De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic. The Eintracht Frankfurt ace has been a key man this season, averaging 1.4 tackles per game across 30 Bundesliga outings as well as providing goals from midfield.

Man City leading race to sign "excellent" defender

According to a new report from Football Insider, Manchester City are leading the race to sign Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso this summer, sitting in pole position ahead of Liverpool, who attempted to hijack the deal in recent days.

The update states that Guardiola’s men are “in the driving seat over the deal as things stand and have been working on the deal behind the scenes since January”.

The £73,000-a-week Cambiaso could be a fantastic signing for City, given his ability to play in either full-back position, as well as being able to drift into midfield and affect games.

The 25-year-old Italy international has a 91.8% pass completion rate in 30 Serie A appearances this season, with his quality on the ball ideal for Guardiola, and journalist Zach Lowy has described him as “world-class”.

Full-back is a position that must be targeted by City in the summer window, with Kyle Walker’s best days behind him on the right and Josko Gvardiol not necessarily a natural left-back despite his brilliance, and Cambiaso fits the bill to perfection.

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He is technically superb, versatile and at a good point in his career, and if Guardiola can sign him over Liverpool, it would be a statement of intent ahead of next season.

Arsenal have now made contact with the entourage of an “incredible” striker, who they are now seriously considering making a move for in the summer, according to a report.

Gunners stepping up striker pursuit

Mikel Arteta’s side have been heavily criticised for not signing a striker last summer or during the January transfer window, with Gary Neville describing the decision as a “mystery” earlier in the campaign.

Since then, the Gunners’ hopes of winning any silverware this season have gone up in smoke, with Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-1 aggregate victory in the Champions League semi-final sealing their fate.

As such, you would think that Arteta will finally bite the bullet and sign a top striker this summer, and recent developments indicate the Spaniard is going to do exactly that, with the north Londoners now advancing in talks to sign Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.

There has since been another update on the pursuit of more of a left-field target, with a report from Spain revealing Arsenal are now seriously considering a move for Botafogo striker Igor Jesus, who is also being targeted by West Ham United and Aston Villa.

Jesus is protected by a €100m (£84m) release clause in his contract, but the Brazilian side are believed to be willing to sanction a departure for a lower fee, and such is the Gunners’ level of interest, they have now made contact with his entourage.

The Brazilian is now among the north Londoners’ priority targets, despite the deal for Gyokeres edging closer to completion, with the striker’s performances since signing for Botafogo putting him in the shop window.

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Journalist Zach Lowy branded the Botafogo forward as “incredible” back in December, having started 2024 with some impressive performances in the UAE, before forcing his way into the set-up of the Brazil national side after catching the eye in his home country.

The Cuiaba-born marksman led Botafogo to a league title triumph in 2024, and he has since started the new season in solid fashion, picking up three goals and one assist in eight Brazilian Serie A outings.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Liga Portugal

33

39

8

Champions League

8

6

0

Taca de Portugal

6

4

3

Allianz Cup

3

4

0

Supertaca

1

0

2

That said, Jesus’ lack of experience in Europe means it would be a risk for Arsenal to sign the South American this summer, and a move for Gyokeres could make more sense, especially considering the Swede’s fantastic record in front of goal this season, netting 53 goals across all competitions.

Sheffield Wednesday are looking to build the foundations for another tilt at the Championship playoffs next term, though they may now face a fight with Blackburn Rovers to sign a reported target.

Sheffield Wednesday remain in a state of limbo with Danny Rohl

Usually, stability at a football club starts from the manager and filters down to his players, but the future of Danny Rohl at Hillsborough appears anything but certain at this point.

With the 36-year-old’s work in South Yorkshire not going unnoticed, interest is starting to mount in his services as clubs around Europe enter a period of change in the off-season.

If he were to leave South Yorkshire, where could the Sheffield Wednesday boss end up? Glasgow could be a potential destination after Rangers identified Rohl as a prospective permanent successor to Philippe Clement.

Fulham are another side intrigued by his managerial style, though ties haven’t been formally severed, which has led to a state of limbo involving all parties.

Regardless, Sheffield Wednesday need to start building for the new season. Some clarity over the direction of their squad has been found in Thursday’s retained list amid a lack of communication on matters at managerial level.

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Barry Bannan, Akin Famewo and Callum Paterson are in talks to stay, while Anthony Musaba, Michael Smith and Josh Windass have been tied to new deals following the club’s decision to trigger their options. Stuart Armstrong, Mallik Wilks and Marvin Johnson are among notable departures, paving the way for eventual reinforcements to take their place.

Undoubtedly, a feeling of anxiety exists over Rohl’s future, but forward planning is underway regarding their pursuit of a highly-rated defensive target.

Sheffield Wednesday make enquiry to sign Aston Villa youngster Rowe

According to Football Insider, Sheffield Wednesday are pursuing Aston Villa youngster Triston Rowe on a loan basis amid competition from Blackburn Rovers for his signature and have made a move by launching an initial enquiry.

The Villans have seen enough in the England Under-19 international’s development to decide on farming him out to the EFL Championship for further experience after his role in their Under-18 side’s treble victory.

Triston Rowe in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

35

Goals

1

Assists

1

Primarily a right-back, Rowe can also deputise in central defence or further up the flank if needed and was previously called up to Aston Villa’s matchday squad in their 2-1 EFL Cup victory over Wycombe Wanderers last year.

Nevertheless, he isn’t yet viewed as a viable competitor to Matty Cash, so a loan move would allow him to continue developing without the spotlight of being thrust into a high-stakes top-flight environment.

Former Scotland international Liam Palmer isn’t getting any younger, which may have prompted Sheffield Wednesday to assess their own pecking order on the right-hand side of defence.

Now, their challenge will be to convince the youngster that Hillsborough is the correct environment to thrive while growing into the senior game next campaign.

Everton are believed to be willing to pay £16.8m to complete the signing of a midfielder who possesses “enormous qualities” this summer.

Everton pushing to sign £30m Liam Delap

The Blues have been linked with various potential new signings of late, but Liam Delap is a name who has stood out as a particularly exciting option, as they look to bolster their attack ahead of next season.

It has been claimed that David Moyes has even held face-to-face talks with the Ipswich Town striker, who looks almost certain to leave Portman Road in the summer transfer window, following relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.

Delap has enjoyed a hugely impressive season, despite the demise of his own team, scoring 12 goals in 32 starts in the league, which is three more than any Everton player managed in the competition, with Iliman Ndiaye leading the way with nine strikes.

The 22-year-old stands out as a brilliant option for the Blues with a £30m release clause, considering he is a young striker who should only mature as the years pass, and he should be looked at as the leading choice to come in and lead the line at the club’s new Bramley Moore Dock stadium this summer.

Everton also ready to pay £16.8m for new midfielder

According to a new update from Africa Foot [via Sport Witness], Everton are ready to pay £16.8m to sign Lille midfielder Ngal’ayel Mukau this summer, having sent scouts to watch him in action in recent weeks.

He is actually valued at £12.6m by the Ligue 1 club, but the Blues are willing to bid higher to get their man, seeing him as another strong option alongside Delap.

Mukau may not be as well-known to Everton fans as Delap, due to him not playing in the Premier League, but he is an exciting young player in his own right.

The 20-year-old has scored twice in six Champions League starts this season, as well as averaging 1.5 tackles per game across 22 matches in Ligue 1 in 2024/25. Meanwhile, Lille head coach Bruno Genesio hasn’t held back in his praise of him, saying:

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“He’s an aggressive player, with a big volume of play, capable of recovering balls from the opponent’s feet. He’s also a forward-thinking player, who can get forward from the first touch and find verticality.”

Lille president Olivier Letang has also described him as a “very likeable lad” with “enormous qualities”, adding that “he burst onto the scene” and “we know his potential and his state of mind.”

Everton could do with fresh blood in the middle of the park, considering Abdoulaye Doucoure is leaving and Idrissa Gueye is now well into his 30s, and Mukau could be a great choice to add into Moyes’ squad.

Leeds United are looking to sign a “fantastic” defender as a replacement for Junior Firpo this summer, with the left-back potentially leaving the Whites, according to a report.

Firpo's time at Elland Road may be coming to an end

Firpo played an important role in Leeds’ promotion from the Championship last season, with the Dominician Republic international picking up four goals and ten assists in 32 league appearances.

However, it now looks as though the left-back’s time at Elland Road could be coming to an end, with the 28-year-old’s contract set to expire this summer, and he has been attracting interest from the likes of Lazio and soon-to-be Premier League rivals Everton.

Last week, there were reports that Daniel Farke’s side have submitted a contract offer to extend the defender’s stay in Yorkshire, but a more recent update indicates that Firpo is set to depart, with the Whites now identifying a Premier League defender as a potential replacement.

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According to a report from Football Insider, Leeds are now looking to sign Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas, who would go straight into Farke’s starting XI, with the Reds likely to accept a bid of around £12m – £15m for the left-back in the summer.

With Arne Slot’s side making moves to sign AFC Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, they won’t stand in Tsimikas’ way if a suitable offer is received, potentially opening the door for a move to Elland Road.

Transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke also offered a further update on Firpo’s future, saying: “Leeds are going to be in the market for a new left-back in this summer’s window with Junior Firpo likely to leave… [Tsimikas] could come straight into that team and improve them.”

Tsimikas could be "fantastic" Firpo replacement

The Greek defender didn’t exactly play a major role in Liverpool’s Premier League title triumph, making 18 appearances throughout the campaign, but he has impressed for the Reds in the past, having once been dubbed “fantastic” by journalist Ian Doyle.

With Leeds looking to avoid relegation from the top flight next season, it could be important to bring in players with top-level experience, and the 29-year-old fits the bill, receiving the Man of the Match award against RB Leipzig in the Champions League last October.

The Liverpool ace is also strong at winning back possession, ranking in the 95th percentile for interceptions per 90, and the 79th percentile for tackles, when compared to other full-backs over the past year.

Of course, it would be a shame to see Firpo leave, given the role the defender played in Leeds’ promotion last season, but there are plenty of signs that Tsimikas could be a solid replacement, and a fee of £15m wouldn’t break the bank.

David Moyes has done a tremendous job as Everton boss over the last couple of months, pulling the club clear of any looming relegation threat in the Premier League.

He was appointed as manager back in January after Sean Dyche was sacked, leading the club out of trouble and comfortably away from the drop zone.

The Scotsman has only lost five of his 20 games in charge at Goodison Park, with the Toffees finishing 13th and 23 points clear of third-bottom Leicester City, who were relegated to the Championship.

Moyes has demonstrated that he’s capable of taking the club to the next level ahead of their move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium over the next couple of months.

The hierarchy need to back him in his quest, handing him the funds to make the changes to the first-team squad that he desires, which could see the Toffees rise back up the league standings.

The latest on Everton’s pursuit of new additions this summer

Over the last couple of days, Everton have been one of a number of clubs touted with a summer move for midfielder Angel Gomes during the off-season.

The 24-year-old announced that he would be departing French side Lille on a free transfer at the end of June, after failing to agree a new deal with the Ligue 1 outfit.

However, he’s not the only player touted with a move to Merseyside this summer, with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap firmly on their radar, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The journalist confirmed that the Toffees are preparing a huge offer to the forward to convince him to join Moyes’ side over a switch to Manchester United or Chelsea.

He also claims that the £30m release clause doesn’t appear to be an issue, it’s down to the player to decide where he goes, with the hierarchy seeing him as a leading talent in their new project.

Why Everton’s £30m target could be Moyes’ own Richarlison

Brazilian forward Richarlison is a player who captured the hearts of the fanbase during his spell at Everton, making over 150 appearances for the Toffees over a four-year period.

He scored 53 times for the club, reaching double figures across all competitions in every season he spent as a first-team regular, offering a key source of goals for various managers.

However, he would depart in a £60m deal to join Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2022, banking the club a hefty profit on their investment which saw them spend £40m on his signature.

However, current boss Moyes could land his own version of the forward this summer with Delap, following suit of the 28-year-old, who joined the club from a lower-level Premier League outfit.

When comparing the Englishman’s stats to those of Richarlison, he’s managed to outperform him in numerous key areas – showcasing what an excellent addition he’d be for the Toffees.

Delap, who’s been labelled “sensational” by one analyst, has massively outscored the Brazilian, whilst also posting a higher shot-on-target rate – showcasing his clinical edge within the final third.

He’s also managed to win more aerial battles in the Premier League this season, handing the Toffees the needed focal point that they’ve been hunting for in recent years.

Games played

37

15

Goals & assists

14

5

Shot-on-target accuracy

44%

41%

Progressive carries

2.1

1.4

Pass accuracy

70%

60%

Shot-creating actions

2.2

1.4

Take-on success

45%

6%

Aerials won

43%

30%

The Ipswich star has also completed more of the passes he’s attempted whilst also completing more progressive carries per 90 – having the opportunity to provide other players around him with chances in attacking areas.

The £30m fee touted for his signature would be a huge investment from the hierarchy, but it’s a deal worth completing given his tender age – handing him the platform to improve his skillset.

However, if he manages to have the same level of success Richarlison did on Merseyside, it would be a superb piece of business, potentially making the club a massive profit in the years to come.

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A “wonderful” Sunderland player continues to be the subject of strong interest from a huge club, with exit talks now expected to begin soon, according to a new transfer update.

Sunderland set for Coventry showdown

The Black Cats face one of their biggest matches of the season on Friday evening, as they take on Coventry City in the first leg of their Championship playoff semi-final tie. Regis Le Bris’ out of form side make the trip to take on Frank Lampard’s men fresh off an emotional final day of league action, so it will be difficilt to bring a positive result with them back to the Stadium of Light.

It has been a long and gruelling season for Sunderland, who started the campaign on fire and threatened to seal automatic promotion to the Premier League, only to tail off as the months continued to pass. In fact, they have lost their last five matches, which is clearly a concern despite the manager’s claims to the contrary.

It looks like they will face Sheffield United in the final at Wembley if they do get past Coventry, following the Blades’ 3-0 win at Bristol City on Thursday. Promotion would be huge for Sunderland for so many reasons, not least in terms of keeping hold of key men, and a new update has now emerged regarding the future of one such individual.

Dortmund delegation travels to Wearside for Bellingham

According to Ruhr Nachrichten [via Sport Witness], Borussia Dortmund’s interest in Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham is “concrete”, with a summer move becoming more and more serious.

A delegation was sent to the North East on Wednesday to discuss the signing of the 19-year-old, whose brother, Jude, spent three years with the Bundesliga giants. They still have to negotiate with the player, his representatives and the Black Cats, though, with those talks expected to begin soon.

Keeping hold of Bellingham has to be a priority for Sunderland this summer, but it will be hard for them to retain him, especially if they fail to seal promotion. The midfielder may like the idea of moving to Dortmund, enjoying a similar path to his brother, with the teenager hailed by teammate Luke O’Nien earlier this year.

“Listen, Jobe’s a wonderful player. I’m one of his biggest fans, more than his dad. Don’t tell him that. I think Jobe’s wonderful. He’s a wonderful addition. He even comes in at half-time to give his perspective. That’s how much he’s grown into the game. Even though he’s not playing, he’s in at half-time. We’re asking for his perspective on the game because he’s a leader in our team.”

Bellingham’s brilliance was outlined by him winning the Championship’s Young Player of the Season award, so Sunderland losing him would be a crushing blow.

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There does have to be some realism involved with the Black Cats, however, who will know that they may have to cash in at some point, with the report stating that they want £21m for his signature.