Summer move likely: UCL club open talks to sign "powerful" Sunderland star

Despite their place in the play-offs all but secured, Sunderland could still lose one of their best players after RB Leipzig opened talks to secure his signature this summer.

RB Leipzig open talks to sign Sunderland star

Following a campaign to forget last time out, Regis Le Bris came into the hot seat at the Stadium of Light with plenty of work to do. Not many were sure what to expect. After all, the Black Cats had found themselves in the depths of mid-table in the previous campaign and still reeling from Michael Beale’s failed spell.

A season back in the top half with one eye on the top six would have sufficed in the Frenchman’s debut campaign. However, almost a year on, Le Bris has done more than just keep an eye on the play-off places. He has taken Sunderland from mid-table to Championship play-off contention in a debut season which could yet end with a place in the Premier League.

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A concern for the Black Cats…

But that play-off spot does not come without one major warning. Whilst success would leave them in dreamland, failure to secure a place in the top flight could yet see the Black Cats picked apart by interested parties this summer.

Among those who are reportedly likely to leave is one of Le Bris’ most talented players. According to Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg, RB Leipzig have now opened talks to sign Jobe Bellingham this summer, gathering all the information they need to launch their move. And although his valuation is still reportedly out of their range, the midfielder’s exit remains likely this summer.

Making matters worse, he’s not the only who could leave in the coming months with captain Dan Neil also attracting plenty of attention from the likes of West Ham United and AS Roma in recent weeks. By the time August arrives, Sunderland could have lost two key players.

“Powerful” Bellingham is destined for stardom

The downside of having players as talented as Bellingham at your disposal is that the big clubs will inevitably come calling. And Sunderland are set to learn that the hard way this summer with Leipzig already making their move.

The German club’s interest should come as little shock. After all, it wasn’t so long ago that Borussia Dortmund were benefitting from signing Birmingham City star Jude Bellingham. Now, years on, Leipzig are looking to repeat that genius in the hope that the Real Madrid star’s younger brother is just as talented.

It has also been no surprise that Bellingham has found himself at the centre of Le Bris’ praise this season, with the Sunderland boss describing his midfielder as “powerful” earlier in the campaign. However, whether Sunderland have the chance to see that power in action next season remains to be seen.