Efforts intensifying to sign Sunderland player – Manager and directors take private jet to Newcastle for negotiations

The race for Sunderland’s teenage sensation Jobe Bellingham has escalated dramatically after Borussia Dortmund’s top brass made a covert mission to Newcastle this week.

Manager Niko Kovač, managing director Lars Ricken, and sporting director Sebastian Kehl boarded a private jet to England on Wednesday in what appears to be a decisive move to secure the 19-year-old midfielder’s signature before rival clubs can intervene.

This high-level delegation underscores Dortmund’s serious intent to land the younger Bellingham brother, following Jude’s spectacular success at Signal Iduna Park before his record-breaking move to Real Madrid.

Club officials were spotted returning to Dortmund airport later that day but remained tight-lipped when questioned by local newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten about their transcontinental dash.

The German giants are leveraging their strong relationship with the Bellingham family – cultivated during Jude’s three-year stint at the club – as a potential trump card in negotiations.

However, Sunderland are poised to drive a hard bargain for their prized asset, with reported asking prices ranging between €22-25 million.

Sky Deutschland’s Patrick Berger suggests the Black Cats value Bellingham closer to the higher figure, creating a €3 million gap that Dortmund must bridge.

Bellingham’s impressive Championship campaign has made him one of England’s most sought-after young talents, with RB Leipzig also monitoring his situation.

The versatile midfielder has demonstrated maturity beyond his years since joining Sunderland from Birmingham last summer, displaying the technical quality and physicality that made his brother a global superstar.

Dortmund’s willingness to dispatch their entire leadership team speaks volumes about their conviction in Bellingham’s potential.

The Bundesliga club’s renowned youth development program could offer the perfect platform for his continued growth, following in the footsteps of both Jude and current England international Jadon Sancho.

As negotiations progress behind closed doors, this transfer saga represents a crucial test for Sunderland’s resolve.

The Championship club must weigh immediate financial gain against the player’s potential future value, while Dortmund aim to pull off another coup by securing English football’s next great midfield prospect.

One thing is certain – when Dortmund’s hierarchy board private jets, European football’s rumor mill starts spinning at full throttle.