The red-hot race for Manchester United target Jobe Bellingham has seen yet another club enter the picture with Eintracht Frankfurt expressing an intent to sign the 19-year-old midfielder, according to a report.
Florian Plettenberg (Sky Sports Germany) reveals the Bundesliga side have “entered the race” to sign Bellingham – younger brother of Jude – alongside domestic rivals, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
However, there is also significant interest from the Premier League in the Sunderland starlet with Brighton and Hove Albion, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea all keeping an eye on the situation, as well as United.
The Red Devils hold a long-standing admiration of Bellingham, perhaps almost as a reflex to having come agonisingly close to securing a deal for his older brother before Jude’s move to Dortmund in 2020.
Bellingham is seen as one of the best prospects in the Championship, along with fellow Black Cat, Chris Rigg – also strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford.
United have extensively scouted the 19-year-old midfielder this season as he has helped propel Sunderland to the play-off finals, scoring four goals and providing three assists in the process. These performances were enough to win him the Championship’s Young Player of the Season award.
But a report relayed The Peoples Person have revealed Chelsea were leading the race for the youngster’s signature, suggesting United could be set to miss out on yet another Bellingham.
However, Plettenberg contends it remains an “open race” for the Sunderland starlet whose contract at the Stadium of Light runs until 2028.
🚨🦅 Eintracht Frankfurt have entered the race for Jobe #Bellingham, as first via @Marc_BILD and now confirmed. #SGE
It’s an open race. Borussia Dortmund are determined to sign him this summer, and RB Leipzig remain interested as well. Participation in the Champions League is… pic.twitter.com/Suk6pRtQua
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 17, 2025
Tweet: “Eintracht Frankfurt have entered the race for Jobe #Bellingham, as first via @Marc_BILD and now confirmed. It’s an open race.
Borussia Dortmund are determined to sign him this summer, and RB Leipzig remain interested as well. Participation in the Champions League is very important for Eintracht. The 19y/o talented defensive midfielder is still under contract at Sunderland until 2028.”
The German football expert reveals Champions League qualification is “very important” to Frankfurt, suggesting a deal for Bellingham will hinge on the club’s final standing in the Bundesliga. They are currently 3rd in the table but are only four points clear off 7th with two games left to play.
This could mean Champions League football would be equally important to United’s pursuit of Bellingham if entry into Europe’s elite competition is a driving factor for the 19-year-old’s decision.
Next week’s season-defining Europa League final offers the Red Devils their last hope of salvaging success this season. And it may prove key to not missing out on another member of the outrageously talented Bellingham family.
Featured image Nathan Stirk via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
