Jobe Bellingham celebrated a year at Sunderland this week, having joined the club from Birmingham City last summer.
There was high expectations placed on Jobe following his brother’s success, and he was arguably one of few positives in an otherwise disastrous campaign.
The teenager was an ever-present figure in the Sunderland starting line-up and was often drafted in as a forward, finishing the season with seven goals.
Despite a turbulent season, it wasn’t long before a number of clubs began monitoring the youngster ahead of a potential summer move.
It was reported earlier this month that both Crystal Palace and Tottenham were in contact over a deal for Jobe, though it was later believed that Sunderland’s asking price was too high.
Jobe is now a main priority for Crystal Palace
The Eagles are looking for a replacement for Michael Olise as he leaves for Bayern Munich, though it had been previously reported that Jobe’s lack of experience had pushed him down their shortlist.
However, journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported he is actually one of their ‘main targets’, while one factor could decide whether he stays on Wearside.
Romano wrote on X: “Understand Crystal Palace keep working on deal to sign Jobe Bellingham, one of the main targets on their shortlist. Antonio Nusa, separate deal and among priorities. Jobe Bellingham’s future depends on the player’s decision with many clubs keen, #CPFC are trying.”
Sunderland will surely benefit no matter the outcome
Crystal Palace certainly aren’t short on money, with Olise expected to move to the Bundesliga for over £50 million.
They won’t want to splash all their cash on an 18-year-old Championship player though, but Sunderland certainly won’t be willing to offload him in a deal that doesn’t benefit them financially.
Even if Jobe does decide he wants to leave, the Black Cats are in a strong enough position to ask for a decent fee.
While he has bags of potential, it would be hard to say no if Palace came in with a huge offer. However, there is the concern that if we let Jobe leave, then that could potentially tempt the likes of Chris Rigg and others to follow suit.
Jobe does seem to love it at the Stadium of Light though and it would be surprising if he pushed for the exit door so soon into his stay up north.