Sunderland up for the fight to keep Bellingham | OneFootball

Sunderland are intent on holding on to Jobe Bellingham following the club’s return to the Premier League, despite increasing attention from Bundesliga sides in the England Under-21 international. According to the Guardian, Bellingham met with Eintracht Frankfurt earlier this week before flying to Ibiza to join his brother Jude for a vacation.

Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are reportedly also monitoring the 19-year-old, who netted four goals in 42 Championship matches this past season.

Although German outlets have claimed that Bellingham – tipped to feature in Lee Carsley’s England squad for this summer’s Under-21 Euros – could be available for around €30m (£25m), the Guardian report states that the Black Cats owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is hesitant to approve a transfer, as Bellingham is seen as a vital part of the squad. The club is also weighing up a move to bring back Jordan Henderson, 14 years after he was transferred to Liverpool in a £20m deal. The 34-year-old midfielder, currently with Ajax, was present at Wembley for Sunderland’s play-off final win and is anticipated to be granted a move this summer.

Crystal Palace have also expressed interest in Bellingham, though he is thought to favour a switch to the Bundesliga to follow in Jude’s footsteps. Should he depart, Birmingham City, his former team, would be entitled to a significant sell-on percentage.