Chelsea are lining up a ‘game-changing’ transfer offer for the brother of England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, according to reports.
Jobe Bellingham has made a huge impact at Sunderland over the past two seasons, helping the Black Cats climb into the Championship play-off spots as they target promotion to the Premier League.
Like his brother, Jobe came through at Birmingham City before joining Sunderland in the summer of 2023.
Sunderland rewarded the 19-year-old with a new contract last year to tie him to the club until 2028, but it appears increasingly unlikely that Jobe will still be at the Stadium of Light by then.
The midfielder’s impressive form has attracted interest from Premier League clubs Tottenham and Crystal Palace and European giants Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund.
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Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United were even said to be monitoring Jobe’s situation on Wearside during the January transfer window.
It was at Dortmund that the older Bellingham brother began to thrive and emerge as one of the best players in the world and a regular for England.
The Sun say Chelsea have also entered the race to sign Jobe and are ready to beat their competitors with a big-money deal.
The Stamford Bridge decision-makers have spent a fortune on players over the past three years but are still keen to increase the number of home-grown players at the club.
Sunderland are confident they can keep hold of the England U21 star if they secure promotion to the Premier League but will braced for offers if they remain in the Championship.
Despite the transfer speculation surrounding Jobe Bellingham, Chelsea’s interest is seen as ‘game-changing’, according to The Sun.
Eyebrows were raised when Birmingham City ‘retired’ Jude Bellingham’s No. 22 shirt following his move to Borussia Dortmund.
But the decision now looks more understandable as the midfielder has established himself as one of the best players in world football.
After spending three years in Germany, Jude completed an £88.5m move to Real Madrid in 2023, enjoying huge success in his first season at the Bernabeu.
Jude helped Madrid clinch a stunning Champions League and La Liga double last term, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side aiming to repeat that sensational feat this year.
Real Madrid are currently third in La Liga – three points behind leaders Barcelona – and have one foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after beating Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
While Jude – who was one of England’s most important players at Euro 2024 – has aspirations of lifting a second Champions League, his younger brother is hoping to gain promotion to the English top-flight with Sunderland.
The Black Cats beat Cardiff City 2-1 on Saturday to consolidate their position in the Championship play-off spots.
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