Sunderland look set to receive some transfer offers during the January transfer window, which opens in less than three weeks now.
The summer transfer window was a busy one for the Black Cats, especially towards the end with Sunderland signing four players on deadline day, taking their summer tally to nine.
Quickly, attentions turned towards January. Now amid this tough run of form for Regis Le Bris’ side in the Championship, Kristjaan Speakman and co may be eyeing several January additions.
But for the Black Cats, who now sit in 4th place of the Championship table, January might be more about players leaving the Stadium of Light.
Tommy Watson has interest from the Premier League, with the likes of Brighton holding an interest, whilst midfield sensation Chris Rigg has been linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United among others.
Another though to be on Madrid’s transfer radar is Jobe Bellingham.
Brentford remain keen on Real Madrid-linked Jobe Bellingham at Sunderland
Recent reports have revealed that both Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are keen on Bellingham, following his standout start to the 2024/25 Championship season.
In fact, there’s been widespread interest in Bellingham for several weeks now, with a number of Premier League and top European clubs mentioned alongside the 19-year-old.
During the summer, it was reported that Sunderland rejected several bids for Bellingham, with those bids thought to have come from the likes of Brentford, Crystal Palace and Spurs.
Now, an emerging report from Football League World claims that Brentford have kept tabs on Bellingham, with the Bees ‘continuing to monitor’ his progression despite Bellingham now having links to some of Europe’s elites.
- READ MORE: Forgotten Speakman signing is free to leave Sunderland in January, two years after he signed
Borussia Dortmund hold secret weapon in race to sign Jobe Bellingham
Since Real Madrid were mentioned alongside Bellingham, all the talk seems to be about them signing the England U21s man.
But Borussia Dortmund have a secret weapon in the Bellingham race that nobody seems to be talking about: their English scout, Daniel Dodds, is Sunderland assistant coach Mike Dodds’ brother.
Whether that would play a significant role in Dortmund being able to sign Bellingham remains to be seen. But it’s certainly something that might give them an edge.
And for the likes of Brentford; when teams like Dortmund and Madrid are in the race, with both now having advantages given the Jude Bellingham connection at the Bernabeu, it quickly becomes an almost impossible transfer pursuit.
But Brentford could surprise everyone and table another bid in January. If it matches Sunderland’s asking price, the move could easily come about.