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Chelsea are weighing up a mouthwatering bid for a Sunderland star in a boost for Birmingham City.
Chelsea are plotting a significant transfer offer for ex-Birmingham City midfielder Jobe Bellingham, according to fresh reports.
Jobe, the younger brother of Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham, has been a revelation for Sunderland since joining from Birmingham in July 2023. Jobe has racked up 11 goals and four assists in 75 starts for the Black Cats, helping the club into Championship play-off contention.
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Sunderland disappointed with a poor end to the 2023/24 season as they finished 16th and 17 points outside the top six but they’ve really improved this campaign, losing just six of their 36 Championship matches and now on the verge of sealing play-off football.
Top scorers Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda have been the most influential in front of goal but Jobe has made a stunning impact too, starting all but four of Sunderland’s league outings this season. The 19-year-old has played a variety of roles in midfield, sometimes in a more advanced number 10 position and otherwise a little further back as a deep-lying playmaker.
Jobe’s fine form has gained the interest of a host of top clubs in the Premier League and across Europe. Speculation has been rife effectively ever since he began to impress in Sunderland colours during his first season at the Stadium of Light and it’s showing no sign of letting up.
The likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund have all been credited with an interest in the past 12 months and now Chelsea appear to have joined the conversation.
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The Sun reports - via Metro - that Chelsea have entered the race to sign Jobe. It’s stated that Sunderland are confident they can hold onto their teenage sensation but Chelsea’s interest is said to be ‘game-changing’ as they seek to bolster their already stacked collection of wonderkids at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca is keen to increase the number of home-grown players at the club, especially as UEFA rules otherwise make squad registration difficult in European competitions. With Chelsea on track to qualify for next season’s Champions League, it’s pivotal their squad is fit for purpose – both in terms of quality and for abiding with the regulations.
Birmingham to receive Jobe Bellingham windfall
Blues let Jobe leave for Sunderland for a mere £3 million fee but a crucial sell-on clause was included in the deal to ensure profit is made further down the line. If Jobe leaves the Black Cats for a significant fee, Birmingham will benefit a great deal as the sell-on percentage stands at a significant 15 per cent.
Sunderland’s asking price is unclear but SportBILD - reporting on Dortmund’s interest in January - suggests around €30 million (£25.2m) will be enough to secure Jobe’s services this summer. Of course, the potential for the Black Cats to be promoted to the Premier League must be considered, but remaining in the Championship could lead to Jobe’s departure.
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If the midfielder were to leave the Stadium of Light for £25.2 million, Sunderland would snap up a profit of £22.2 million. As mentioned, Blues would be due 15 per cent of that figure, therefore adding an extra £3.33 million for their transfer kitty. Even in Birmingham’s comfortable financial position that sort of money would arrive as a huge boost.