Sunderland sold Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund for a big money fee this summer

Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has claimed that Borussia Dortmund paid “far too much” to sign Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland this summer.

The starlet played a key role in the Black Cats’ successful promotion campaign last term, establishing himself as key member of Regis Le Bris’ side as they fought their way back into the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.

But shortly after May’s final at Wembley, Bellingham bid farewell to Wearside, following in the footsteps of elder brother Jude by sealing a move to Dortmund understood to be worth an initial £27 million, with future potential add-ons.

According to Hamann, however, that price tag may ultimately favour Sunderland more than Dortmund. As quoted by German outlet Bild, the ex-Premier League star said: “I spoke to people in Great Britain, and they said they paid far too much money for him”.

Bild go on to claim that Bellingham’s valuation may have been forced up by rival interest from fellow Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt, who also made an attempt to prise the player away from the Stadium of Light prior to his move to Dortmund.

How has Jobe Bellingham fared since leaving Sunderland to sign for Borussia Dortmund?

Bellingham’s Dortmund career started brightly - across four appearances at the Club World Cup, he registered a goal and an assist. But since the beginning of the domestic campaign, things haven’t entirely gone to plan for the midfielder.

First, he made a 26-minute cameo in a narrow DFB-Pokal first round victory over third-tier Rot-Weiss Essen, and then, on his Bundesliga debut, he was hooked at half-time by new boss Niko Kovac.

Moreover, Sky Sports Germany report that in the aftermath of the eventual 3-3 draw against FC St. Pauli, Bellingham’s parents held a “lengthy and emotional discussion” with sporting director Sebastien Kehl after the final whistle. It is understood that the Bellinghams waited for Jobe near Dortmund’s dressing room after the final whistle, and that while this is not particularly unusual, the “surprise visit” from the teenager’s family “was not particularly well-received within the club”.

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A subsequent statement from Kehl read: "We are all disappointed with yesterday's result. And yet, the active area is and remains reserved for players, coaches, and management, not families and advisors. That won't happen again. We have clearly informed everyone involved of this."

In his final outing prior to the international break - during which he has jetted off to captain England U21s - Bellingham played 71 minutes of a comfortable 3-0 victory over Union Berlin, operating in a slightly deeper midfield role.

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