"I wish him all the best. He has been a good servant to Sunderland. I just hope he goes on to develop like his brother."

It tells you much about Bellingham that this wasn't how he saw it. Sunderland's eventual 16th-placed finish, and the way the campaign had unravelled, rankled. Bellingham vowed to stay, and to be in best position possible to put it right.

Sunderland Standing Firm as Dortmund Pursue Jobe BellinghamQuiet Confidence Behind Stubborn NegotiationsAFC Sunderland’s resolve is being tested, and so far, they’re not blinking. According to