Sunderland are understood to be interested in making a move for Birmingham City midfielder Jobe Bellingham, the brother of Borussia Dortmund and England international Jude. The 16-year-old is viewed as a prodigious talent, having already made two appearances for Birmingham in the Championship this season.
The Daily Mail reports that Sunderland are said to be very keen on the England U17 international, even inviting Bellingham's parents to the Stadium of Light last month for a recent home match.
Black Cats sporting director Kristjaan Speakman was formerly Birmingham City's academy manager and was a key figure in Jude's development. Speakman has a good relationship with Mark and Denise, Bellingham's parents and played a pivotal role in Jude's development and his move to Dortmund in 2020.
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However, while the mooted transfer would be one a coup for Sunderland, the move would almost certainly hinge on the Black Cats ability to earn promotion to the Championship this season.
They travel to Hillsborough this evening to take on Sheffield Wednesday with a 1-0 lead on aggregate and will almost certainly have to earn promotion if they are to have any chance of landing Bellingham.
Additionally, there have also been reports linking Bellingham to brother Jude's club Dortmund. Having seen how things have turned out with Jude, the German giants may want to repeat the process with Jobe.
