As Sunderland prepares for life back in the Premier League, they were dealt a blow this week when news broke of Jobe Bellingham’s impending departure, but the Black Cats are responding quickly and have already found a Premier League player to replace him, according to one recent source.
Bellingham set for Borussia Dortmund move
Since moving to the Stadium of Light in July 2023, Bellingham has been a breath of fresh air for the Black Cats. While the midfielder did not score as many goals in the 2024/25 season as he did in the 2023/24 season, his overall performances were constant, assisting Sunderland in their return to football’s top level.
Despite this feat, Bellingham has been contemplating his future in recent weeks. The 19-year-old is under contract until 2028, but there has been a lot of interest in a possible summer transfer, especially from Germany.
Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig were among the clubs interested in signing Bellingham, but the young Englishman has decided to join his brother at Borussia Dortmund. Bellingham wants to join Dortmund, and according to Keith Downie, Sunderland are in advanced talks to sell the midfielder for £25 million.
Sunderland want to sign £3m Wolves ace as Bellingham replacement
So as the Black Cats work on selling Bellingham to Dortmund, the club’s hierarchy already have a player in mind when it comes to replacing him. According to TEAMtalk, Sunderland are interested in signing Tommy Doyle from Wolves this summer.
According to the source, the Black Cats are looking to improve their team’s spine as they prepare to return to the top flight, and Doyle has been identified as a prospective arrival. Sunderland attempted to sign the 23-year-old on loan in the January transfer window, but failed.
They now want to try again, but this time on a permanent basis, after Wolves informed Doyle that he was free to quit the club. The midfielder has fallen out of favour with Vitor Pereira, missing five of the previous nine Premier League matchday lineups.
Now they want to try again, but this time on a permanent basis, as Doyle has been told by Wolves that he is free to leave the club. The midfielder has fallen out of favour under Vitor Pereira, failing to make five of the last nine Premier League matchday squads.
| Tommy Doyle’s 24/25 Premier League stats | |
|---|---|
| Apps | 24 |
| Starts | 3 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Interceptions per game | 0.2 |
| Tackles per game | 0.5 |
| Balls recovered per game | 1.8 |
| Clearances per game | 0.5 |
Wolves have put a £3 million price tag on Doyle’s head, but the Black Cats are not the only team chasing the former Man City man, as Sheffield United, whom Sunderland beat in the play-off final, are also interested in a deal, as well as Wrexham, who are playing in the second tier next season.
But Sunderland may hold an advantage – Doyle has the same agent as current Sunderland defender Luke O’Nien, who has been key for the club for a number of seasons now, perhaps smoothing negotiations along.
Indeed, it is claimed that Sunderland are in the box seat to sign Doyle, who was dubbed “unbelievable” by former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil. He’s played over 50 games in the Premier League, so his mixture of top flight experience and youthful exuberance could go a long way to replacing a departing superstar.
