A Sunderland player is wanted by Crystal Palace. But the Eagles think that he may be too expensive right now.
Sunderland have a number of valuable player assets who they look set to cash in on this summer.
And now the Black Cats can finally press on with their summer transfer plans after hiring Regis Le Bris as their new head coach.
The Frenchman signs a three-year deal at the Stadium of Light following his Lorient exit, ending a painstaking four-month search process for Michael Beale’s replacement.
Sunderland had already gotten their first summer signing over the line in goalkeeper Simon Moore. But sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has plenty more to do.
Strikers are needed once again. For Sunderland though, much of the focus might be on who they let go during this summer’s transfer window.
A horde of names are wanted by Premier League teams including Anthony Patterson, Jack Clarke, and Trai Hume.
Jobe Bellingham is another; following his reported £3million move from Birmingham City last summer, the 18-year-old has now attracted the likes of Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur.
Crystal Palace stance on Jobe Bellingham at Sunderland
The latest on Crystal Palace’s interest in Bellingham comes from Alan Nixon, who says that the Eagles are set to sign two new players ahead of Michael Olise’s proposed move to Bayern Munich.
Writing on Patreon, Nixon adds that Bellingham ‘is on the list’ of potential replacements at Selhurst Park, but that he’s ‘valued too high’ as things stand.
Nixon also says that Bellingham’s lack of Premier League experience may mean that he’s currently low down on the list of Crystal Palace summer transfer targets.
Previous reports have claimed that Sunderland will demand a fee of £20million to part ways with Bellingham this summer.
Last season, Bellingham scored seven goals and assisted one more in 45 Championship outings.
Will Jobe Bellingham leave Sunderland this summer
Speakman won’t let any in demand Sunderland player leave for a minimal fee this summer, with £20million for Bellingham certainly a high number.
He’s only really got one season of first-team experience behind him, and among Sunderland fans, Bellingham received mixed reviews last time round.
This latest update from Nixon suggests that Palace certainly have an eye on Bellingham but that he might be a signing for later down the line.
For Sunderland and indeed Bellingham, that might be a better outcome; as we’ve seen with Clarke, staying at a club where first-team football is more guaranteed can really aid with development, and at the same time, further increase that transfer value.
If Bellingham stays on Wearside for another one or two seasons and continues to improve, then his value will only increase.
At the same time, Le Bris will be keeping hold of what was an important player for the Black Cats last time round.