Jack Rudoni features: 5 Jobe Bellingham replacements Sunderland AFC must eye after big Borussia Dortmund update | OneFootball

Amid interest from both Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt, FLW has looked at five replacements for Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham.

Following their promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 2017, Sunderland are set for a busy summer transfer window – but there is a chance they lose star man Jobe Bellingham.

With the Black Cats coming from behind to dramatically defeat Sheffield United by two goals to one at Wembley Stadium in the Championship play-off final, thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Tommy Watson, who has already agreed a move to Brighton and Hove Albion, Sunderland will believe they are back where they belong in the top-flight of English football.

However, key midfielder Jobe Bellingham was reported to have had talks with Eintracht Frankfurt, whilst fresh reports now indicate that he has a verbal agreement with Borussia Dortmund, the former club of his brother, Jude.

As Sunderland prepare for the seemingly probable departure of Bellingham, Football League World has looked at five players that the Premier League new boys could look to replace the 19-year-old England U21 international with.

Jordan Henderson

Already linked with a move back to Wearside, whilst Jordan Henderson remains contracted with Ajax until the summer of 2026, he looks set to be a cost-cutting casualty by the Dutch giants this summer.

His return seems like a very sensible bit of business for both parties, offering experience to Sunderland and a Premier League return for Henderson.

Less dynamic than Bellingham, Henderson, particularly in an England shirt, has showcased his ability to get forward – as he did so often at the beginning of his career at the Stadium of Light.

Jack Rudoni

A different profile to Bellingham, but still someone who can operate as more of a box-to-box midfielder would be Coventry City star Jack Rudoni, who has forged an excellent relationship with

Frank Lampard.

Lampard has managed to get Rudoni to fulfil his potential at Coventry this season, with a brilliant awareness and reading of the game to turn himself into a prolific goal-scoring midfielder.

At the age of 23, he is only going to continue to improve - a scary thought given his 10 goals and 13 assists from 50 total appearances this season.

Jason Knight

Last season was perhaps the first season in which many neutrals recognised the quality of Bristol City captain Jason Knight as not only being a very good Championship midfielder, but one of the very best in the division.

An all-action leader, Knight would fit well into the Sunderland recruitment model of signing players with an immense amount of potential, but the 24-year-old Ireland international also has 268 club appearances under his belt already.

The combative central midfielder registered three goals and six assists in 46 Championship appearances in 2024/25, as well as winning over 250 duels and made 293 recoveries - per FotMob.

Neil El Aynaoui

Sunderland have delved into the French market a few times in recent seasons, not least to appoint manager Regis Le Bris, and another smart addition from Ligue 1 would be Lens midfielder Neil El Aynaoui.

Capable of playing both as a box-to-box midfielder or as a so-called ‘number six’, El Aynaoui would provide a steady balance alongside Dan Neil.

With the riches of the Premier League, the 23-year-old must surely be a tempting marquee signing for Sunderland.

The Frenchman bagged eight goals and one assist in 24 Ligue 1 appearances this past season.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Perhaps a longshot, given the fact that Dewsbury-Hall came off the bench to win a European trophy with Chelsea in the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League against Real Betis, but there must still be an expectation that he departs Stamford Bridge at least on loan this summer.

He has struggled for game time in the Premier League since making the move to the Blues and, as they step up to the UEFA Champions League, that should only become more limited next season.

At 26, the former Leicester City star will surely want to be playing more regular football at this stage of his career, perhaps with an outside chance of being on the England plane for the 2026 World Cup in mind too.

Therefore, he could relish a loan move to Sunderland