Sunderland are reportedly plotting a summer move to sign Birmingham City youngster Jobe Bellingham. The younger brother of England and Borussia Dortmund midfielder, Jude, is entering the final 12 months of his contract at St. Andrews.
Black Cats sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is understood to have a good relationship with the Bellingham family having worked at Blues prior to moving to the Stadium of Light. The Sunderland chief played a big part in the development of Jude and his £25million move from Birmingham to Borussia Dortmund in 2020.
Last year, Sunderland invited Jobe and his family to take in a game on the banks of the River Wear, in hope of luring him to the club. Instead, Bellingham signed his first pro deal at St Andrews and has made 21 appearances for Blues this term, starting the club's last four Championship games.
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The Daily Mail claim the 17-year-old is 'ready to depart' his boyhood club, with Sunderland ready to pay the compensation to sign him of around £300,000. There have been reports suggesting Jobe could follow his brother to Dortmund with the youngster also highly thought of.
Sunderland's fierce rivals Newcastle have also been credited with an interest in the young midfielder, with interested parties hoping Jobe will replicate his brother's rise to the world of elite footballers. Elsewhere, the Black Cats have been linked with SC Heerenveen midfielder Thom Haye, according to Leeuwarder Courant reporter Sander de Vries.
The report says the Dutch side are yet to receive an official approach from the Black Cats for the midfielder, who is also attracting interest from a number of French clubs.
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