SUNDERLAND are unconcerned by the mounting transfer talk surrounding Jobe Bellingham, and remain confident the midfielder will be remaining on Wearside beyond next week’s deadline.

Bellingham has been the subject of sustained speculation throughout this month’s window, with Borussia Dortmund having been heavily linked with a potential move for the 19-year-old, who would be following in the footsteps of his elder brother, Jude, if he was to move to Signal Iduna Park.

Over the weekend, a number of German media outlets reported that Bayer Leverkusen were also readying a bid for Bellingham this month, and were prepared to pay a hefty premium in order to push through a deal ahead of Dortmund.

Wearside sources claim the Sunderland hierarchy are well aware of the talk surrounding Bellingham, and while they are yet to receive a formal offer for the teenager this month, having turned down bids from Crystal Palace in the summer, they are braced for a flurry of activity ahead of next Monday’s deadline.

There is a chance Palace could return to the table, along with West Ham United, who are also known to be interested, but whatever bids are received this month, there is a strong determination to hold on to Bellingham, who is a key member of Regis Le Bris’ preferred line-up.

READ MORE:

• Wilson Isidor spells out his future penalty-taking plans with Sunderland

• Sunderland transfer agreed as 'right opportunity' presents itself for club

• 'It is a real rarity - but this felt like a day when Regis Le Bris got things wrong'

Crucially, Bellingham is known to be happy and settled on Wearside, with his family and advisors understood to feel that seeing out the remainder of the season with the Black Cats is the best thing for the midfielder’s development.

Bellingham is contracted to Sunderland until 2028, having extended his deal as recently as last August, and the Black Cats do not have a financial need to sell any of their leading stars this month.

What happens beyond the end of the season remains to be seen, with the fate of Sunderland’s ongoing promotion push likely to determine what happens with a number of their key players in the summer.

As well as rebuffing bids for Bellingham in the next six days, the Sunderland hierarchy are also prepared to turn down offers for Chris Rigg and Dan Neil, who have also been linked with possible moves away from Wearside.

Sunderland remain determined to bring in at least one new forward before Monday night, but they will not be signing Louie Barry on loan from Aston Villa, with the 21-year-old on the verge of completing a move to Championship side Hull City.

Both Sunderland and Middlesbrough were touted as potential suitors when Barry was recalled from a previous loan spell at Stockport County, but Hull appear to have won the battle for the striker.

Barry is set to sign a season-long loan deal at the MKM Stadium, having travelled to Humberside yesterday to undergo a medical.