Sunderland and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman now appear to have a crystal clear transfer plan for Jobe Bellingham.
Sunderland signed Jobe Bellingham, 18, from Birmingham City last summer, paying a reported fee of £3million for the attacker.
Bellingham enjoyed a strong first season at Sunderland, featuring in all but one of the Black Cats’ 46 Championship fixtures.
The England U20 man also grabbed seven goals after playing in numerous positions under numerous managers last season.
Several Premier League clubs have been credited with an interest in Bellingham ahead of the summer, with Crystal Palace the team mentioned more than most.
Fabrizio Romano revealed on Wednesday that Crystal Palace are working on a deal for Bellingham but that the final decision may be the player’s to make.
The Eagles are eyeing up replacements for Michael Olise reportedly heading to Bayern Munich this summer.
Sunderland rejects Crystal Palace bids for Jobe Bellingham
Following Romano’s update, it was revealed that Sunderland have knocked back offers from Crystal Palace for Bellingham.
Sunderland are said to want no less than £20million for Bellingham and James Copley has praised the owners for their reluctance to sell players below what they think they’re worth.
This emerging Bellingham story is very reminiscent of Jack Clarke’s transfer saga last summer; Burnley had bids rejected because Sunderland didn’t feel they met their valuation of the player.
And Speakman may now have a similar plan in place for Bellingham, which could net Sunderland a lot more money in years to come.
Sunderland transfer plan for Jobe Bellingham becomes clear amid Crystal Palace interest
Sunderland keeping Clarke last summer has meant that his transfer value has now doubled; from around the £10million mark to at least £20million, though reports have now revealed that Sunderland value Clarke at £30million now.
It comes after Clarke enjoyed a standout 2023/24 season in the Championship, netting 15 goals and grabbing four assists.
Bellingham remains an inexperienced player with just one season of Championship football under his belt at Sunderland.
But he’s set the foundations for a strong 2024/25 campaign and another season of regular and intense first-team football at Sunderland could see his transfer value double, like Clarke’s has.
What’s more is that Bellingham remains under contract until 2027 and so Sunderland don’t need to sell him; instead they can allow him to potentially develop further under new manager Regis Le Bris, and watch his value go up even more.
Sunderland now look poised to cash in on Clarke after managing his situation well. That may add to the idea that Sunderland don’t need to sell Bellingham, or rather shouldn’t, in a bid to leave Le Bris with enough quality to tackle the Championship next season.