Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham is a man in growing demand this summer.
Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham is wanted by Crystal Palace this summer. But the Black Cats have already rejected offers for the 18-year-old.
It’s said that Sunderland want no less than £20million for Bellingham this summer, who moved to Wearside from Birmingham City in a £3million deal last summer.
In his first season a the Stadium of Light, Bellingham scored seven goals in 45 Championship appearances for the Black Cats.
He’s now become an England U20 player and has interest from the Premier League, with Tottenham Hotspur linked earlier in the summer.
Crystal Palace are the team trying hardest to sign Bellingham this summer and whilst Sunderland stand firm on their £20million valuation, there’s no guarantee that he stays.
Should he leave, he’ll certainly need replacing, with new manager Regis Le Bris no doubt wary of the club offloading al their valuable player assets this summer.
But the Black Cats could find a viable replacement, if not an upgrade on Bellingham in his former Birmingham City teammate Jordan James.
Who is Birmingham City and Wales star Jordan James
James, 19, is a product of the Birmingham City academy, rising through the ranks alongside Jobe and Jude Bellingham.
Last season, the versatile central midfielder featured 42 times in the Championship, scoring eight goals despite Blues’ struggles.
James also made a name for himself on the international stage with Wales, having now racked up 11 caps for his country.
Former Sunderland and Birmingham City boss Tony Mowbray is a fan of James, previously saying on the teenager: “He can score a goal, first and foremost.
“For a young boy, he knows where the net is. I like his ability to put his foot on the gas and change pace through midfield, he has some power in his legs. He’s a confident boy who doesn’t get pushed around.”
James was strongly linked with a move to Atalanta in January and the Italian outfit are thought to have retained an interest ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Can Sunderland realistically sign Jordan James
James may be a very expensive potential signing for Sunderland, with reports around January suggesting that Birmingham City wanted £10million for the youngster.
But following their relegation, whether or not Blues can realistically charge that much remains to be seen, and Birmingham City will surely want some early cash this summer so that they can prepare for League One.
For Sunderland, it would still be a potentially expensive capture. But with money potentially coming in from the sales of Bellingham, Jack Clarke, and maybe one or two others, the Black Cats may spend well on a couple of marquee signings.
James would bring some much-needed attacking prowess to the team, and some physicality too; he stands at 6ft 2ins and is best when picking the ball up in the middle of the pitch and driving forward.
In that sense, he could be a viable replacement for Bellingham who’s also a very physical player, and with James now having 95 Championship appearances to his name, he’d bring some vital second tier experience to the side.
The fact that he’s still only 19 means that he fits the Sunderland recruitment model perfectly. But it’ll be the price tag that’s the sticking point for Sunderland.
If Kristjaan Speakman can get in the race for James early and manage Birmingham City’s expectations of what they can realistically expect for James this summer, then it could be a very shrewd and very fruitful transfer for Sunderland.