Fresh off securing fourth place in the Bundesliga and a coveted spot in next season's Champions League, Dortmund are poised to act swiftly following Sunderland's Championship play-off final against Sheffield United on May 24.

Bellingham, the younger brother of Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, has shone brightly in the Championship, contributing four goals and three assists in 40 appearances this season. His performances, including a starring role in Sunderland's 2-1 play-off semi-final win over Coventry, have drawn attention from top clubs across Europe.

Dortmund, however, have emerged as frontrunners, leveraging their strong relationship with the Bellingham family and their proven track record of developing young talent, as evidenced by Jude's meteoric rise during his time at the club.

"They are pushing hard to sign Jobe Bellingham immediately," said Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg on X, noting Dortmund's ambition to have the midfielder available for the FIFA Club World Cup starting June 14.

The reported transfer fee is around 25 million euros, a sum Sunderland are unlikely to resist if they fail to secure Premier League promotion, according to Football Insider.

Other clubs, including RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, have also been linked with the England Under-21 international, per BILD and Sky Germany.

Yet Dortmund's promise of regular first-team football and Champions League exposure gives them a clear edge. "Dortmund believe they have the best cards in the poker for Jobe," said journalist Christian Falk, highlighting the club's confidence in sealing the deal.

Bellingham has remained focused on Sunderland's promotion push, with the Black Cats one win away from returning to the Premier League for the first time since 2017. "Jobe's full focus is on Saturday's play-off final," reported the Sunderland Echo, underscoring his commitment despite swirling transfer rumours. However, media reports have suggested that the Wembley clash could mark his final appearance for Sunderland, with Dortmund ready to make a "bold move" regardless of the outcome.

In a separate development, Dortmund are also navigating changes in their advisory structure. Sport Bild reported that club advisor Matthias Sammer will be offered a contract extension but with reduced influence, focusing solely on strategic matters rather than transfers. This shift follows tensions after Sammer's critical comments about the team while working as a pundit, a role he has since stepped back from.

As the transfer window nears, Dortmund's aggressive pursuit of Bellingham signals their intent to build on their Champions League qualification and continue their tradition of nurturing young stars. For Sunderland fans, the play-off final carries even greater weight, as promotion could be key to keeping their prized asset.

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