Sunderland fans are deeply divided as Jobe Bellingham poised for Bundesliga move, it ‘will never sit right’

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Jobe Bellingham looks destined to depart Sunderland following the club’s Championship play-off final win over Sheffield United.

Jobe Bellingham’s footballing future remains uncertain despite Sunderland winning the Championship play-off final at the weekend.

Regis Le Bris’ side came from one goal behind in the first half to win 2-1 under the Wembley arch, thanks to goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Tommy Watson, who completed the perfect end to his Sunderland story.

Sunderland are set to bank a staggering fee with their Premier League promotion, and the Black Cats’ recruitment team will need to spend wisely to aid Le Bris in his mission to stave off instant relegation.

In terms of outgoings, the combative midfielder looks poised to be the first after Bellingham travelled to Germany for transfer talks in Frankfurt, which caused a divided reaction amongst the Black Cats fanbase.

• READ MORE: Three winners and three losers as Jobe Bellingham nears Sunderland exit amid Bundesliga transfer talks

Sunderland fans divided as Jobe Bellingham poised for Bundesliga transfer

Bellingham’s mainstay presence in the Black Cats’ midfield has been imperative to their top flight promotion, with the former Birmingham City youngster scooping Championship Young Player of the Season for his exploits.

Ahead of the play-off final, EFL Analysis exclusively revealed that Sunderland face a nightmare scenario with Bellingham this summer, as Borussia Dortmund battle with Frankfurt and RB Leipzig for the 19-year-old’s signature, who was set on departing Wearside regardless of the final result.

With Bellingham’s “curious” decision questioned by pundits, the red-and-white faithful have also taken to social media to debate the transfer debacle, over which they’re torn.

In disagreement with Bellingham’s decision, one Sunderland fan said: “Jobe off to Frankfurt not even 48 hours after we’ve just won at Wembley will never sit right with me.”

Another agreed: “Was hoping he would give it a year and have a crack at the Premier League. Gutted he’s going.”

One fan also said: “I don’t understand why he doesn’t have a shot at the Premier League you never know his value could go up by twice as much.”

In defence of Bellingham, one fan said: “Didn’t have to stay with us for this season, he had options and chose to stick with us and was instrumental in our promotion.”

Another agreed: “Why would you want it to drag on? Getting it done quickly only helps us.”

As another argued: “He’s achieved what he wanted to do in helping us get promoted and I don’t think there’s any malice in his decision to leave.

“He’s being offered an opportunity to start playing Champions League level football and he has a really good chance at Dortmund or Frankfurt.”

Bellingham looks poised for the Bundesliga despite playing a pivotal role in the promotion campaign, but left Sunderland fans with a parting gift to culminate his development in a red-and-white jersey.

• READ MORE: Five Sunderland players who may have played their final game for Regis Le Bris after play-off final victory

Jobe Bellingham’s commitment to Sunderland can’t be questioned

Bellingham’s debut season on Wearside was impressive on a personal note, scoring seven goals in 45 Championship appearances, when deployed in various roles as Sunderland finished 16th.

In Le Bris’ promotion campaign, Bellingham has been an ever-present in the midfield, notching four goals and three assists to cement himself as one of the Championship’s finest talents this term.

Despite the Black Cats midfielder’s career path mapped out akin to his elder brother Jude’s, given the Bundesliga move being preferred to the Premier League, his commitment to Sunderland is unquestionable.

Bellingham told Sky Sports after the play-off final win: “Every single player that comes here in recent years has made clear the desire to get the club back to the Premier League.

“I take a lot of pride in saying I was one of the players who helped this club get back to where it belongs.”

The dominant midfielder had transfer opportunities galore following his first season with the Black Cats, but chose to stay and help spearhead the promotion campaign, in a fitting conclusion to his stellar Sunderland stint.