Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly is eyeing the Sunderland star.Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly is eyeing the Sunderland star.
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly is eyeing the Sunderland star. | Getty Images
The Sunderland teenager is being watched by several London clubs in the top flight ahead of the summer.
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly is believed to have made the signing of Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham a priority this summer, which would mean the Blues beating competition from Crystal Palace and West Ham to recruit the 19-year-old.
The younger brother of Real Madrid and England international Jude, Bellingham has broken through at the Stadium of Light since making the move from Birmingham City in 2023. He is widely regarded as one of the league’s finest midfielders and has shown a class that suggests he is ready to make the step up to the top flight.
Sunderland are vying for promotion this season. The Black Cats sit fourth in the league, 12 points clear of fifth, and look destined for the play-offs. Even if Bellingham doesn’t achieve Premier League status with Sunderland, it is likely he won’t be short of options.
Chelsea in race against West Ham and Crystal Palace
In January, there were widespread reports of interest in his services from West Ham and Crystal Palace. The Hammers are still to find a long-term replacement for Declan Rice while the Eagles have proven specialists in helping EFL talents make the step up the leagues. Arsenal had also been named as potential suitors, although their summer recruitment will surely be centred on a talisman.
Now, according to The Sun, Boehly has pushed Chelsea into the mix. The Blues forked out £30 million to bring Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Stamford Bridge to reunite with Enzo Maresca last summer but the ex Foxes man has struggled to find a place in the Chelsea team and has been linked with an exit.
The report claims that Boehly is keen to maintain a strong presence of England internationals in the squad with the inclusion of homegrown stars important for the Premier League. Chelsea are thought to have the financial clout to barge rivals Crystal Palace and West Ham out of the way in a potential transfer race.
Bellingham signed a new contract with Sunderland last year, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2028 season. However, in January, talkSPORT claimed that a £20 million fee could be enough for the Championship club to green light a move.
Sunderland see transfer interest as ‘good news’
Speaking about the rumours surrounding Bellingham, and teammate Anthony Patterson, in January, Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris said: "It [transfer interest] is an option when young players are playing such good football.
"Probably some of them can be targeted for huge, massive clubs. But at the same time for them they can understand the dynamic and where they are today is positive for their improvement.
"Beyond just their own career, it's what they can share with teammates. It's a human journey and they're enjoying it. It's good news that there's interest from other clubs, but at the same time they're really involved in our project.
"It's really difficult to create a shared project. It's good for the players in the squad now and very positive for the players who could be involved. But they have to know this is a non-negotiable rule to be connected with us."
In other news, West Ham and Newcastle United were sent a transfer update by Fabrizio Romano on Monday ahead of kick-off in the Premier League.