Five years after signing highly rated 17-year-old Birmingham midfielder Jude Bellingham, Borussia Dortmund are now close to adding his brother Jobe to their squad. This week, Sky Germany’s Patrick Berger has reported that Jobe is in line for a five-year contract with a starting salary of € 3.5-4 million.
Here are three reasons why the deal makes sense for both parties.
Dortmund’s Jobe Bellingham gamble could pay off in multiple big ways
1. Right place for development
After helping Sunderland secure promotion to the English Premier League following an eight-year absence, Jobe now hopes to play at the highest level. His ambitions will probably be in line with his brother, who is starring at the biggest stages for Real Madrid.
But before that, Jobe needs more playing time at a higher level and in tougher competitions than the English Championship. And what better place that offers that along with a nurturing environment and less pressure from media as well as fans than BVB?
In the past few years Dortmund have been a place where young talents displayed their talents before going on to accomplish bigger and better things. Despite some critics pointing out BVB should be more than just a talent factory the model seems to be working.
Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, and Jude Bellingham managed to win league and Champions League trophies after leaving Dortmund. Ousmane Dembele, who spent a season at BVB, has now seemed to have discovered his true potential. Of course, not everyone who has passed through the Signal Iduna Park has had great times, but often than not Dortmund has always been the right place for young talents. It seems like both Jobe and his parents have realized that.
2. Much needed profile
The fact that Jobe is moving to Dortmund is not only good for him but also for the club who are in need of a fresh star. The midfield position has been filled with aging players who are no longer at the top of their game.
Emre Can and Marcel Sabitzer have been put on the outgoing players list. Despite finishing the season strongly Julian Brandt is no longer the player he once was. Because of this, Jobe’s arrival will help fill several gaps in the club’s midfield. The possible partnership of Jobe and German international Felix Nmecha is something to keep an eye on. Jobe is expected to be the ideal all-around midfielder Dortmund need.
Jobe is not only ideal because of his talent with the ball but also because of his passion and fighting spirit. Just like his older brother Jobe leaves everything on the pitch and fights until the end, which is exactly what the Black and Yellows need at the moment.
3. The right player to be the main star of the club
Borussia Dortmund has often times had exciting young players who make the club appealing and worth following among fans everywhere. The likes of Jadon Sancho, Erling Haaland, Christian Pulisic, and Jude Bellingham have made the club an attractive one for young fans of the game across the globe. With the arrival of Jobe, that trend seems to continue.
After the departure of legends like Marco Reus and Mats Hummels, there doesn’t seem to be a proven world-class player in the Dortmund team at the moment. Jamie Byone-Gittens, another exciting English talent, is also likely to be on the move back to the Premier League. This means that Jobe will probably be the main man that spectators tune in to watch.
While Nico Schlotterbeck and prolific goal getter Serhou Guirassy are immensely talented footballers Jobe seems to be the one that will provide the excitement and grab the attention.
Jobe was named the Championship's “Young Player of the Season” for the 2024/25 campaign. And reports indicate that his decision to move to Dortmund is because of sporting prospects, which indicates he will work hard to prove himself.
After securing Champions League qualification following a rollercoaster season BVB seem to have started the transfer market on the right note.