Crystal Palace have reignited their long-standing interest in Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham, and it’s no surprise the 19-year-old midfielder is generating so much attention. He signed a new deal at the Stadium of Light last summer.
Yet, whispers of a lucrative move have only grown louder, especially given the estimated $25 million fee Sunderland are said to be asking. Bellingham, who already has England Under-21 experience, has helped propel Sunderland into the Championship promotion race, and his performances suggest he’s got the skill and composure to thrive in the Premier League.
Sunderland fans have embraced him as a new favorite, and his dynamic style fits Regis Le Bris’s ambitious plans. Bellingham has even admitted how energized he feels when playing before a passionate crowd. “The support we get is second to none in the country,” he said. “I think they’re the best in the country. I’m so glad they’ve come this far and they’ve seen a victory. It was a great moment, unbelievable.”
A Premier League Pathway
Crystal Palace, who struggled early on this season, have settled under manager Oliver Glasner. They’re looking to bolster their engine room after Cheick Doucouré and Adam Wharton both missed games due to injury. Palace know the value of scouting in the Championship, having previously signed players like Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, and more recently spent over $27 million to bring Adam Wharton from Blackburn Rovers. That successful strategy has emboldened them to pursue Bellingham, whose composure on the ball has caught the eye of several top clubs.
Jobe’s brother, Jude, is already thriving at Real Madrid after a spell at Borussia Dortmund. There’s speculation the younger sibling could follow a similar path abroad, but talkSPORT claims Palace are firmly in the mix, along with Arsenal. At the moment, Sunderland remain determined to keep one of their brightest prospects, but a major bid in January might force a difficult decision. Raising funds could accelerate Le Bris’s own squad-building, especially if promotion to the Premier League slips away.
For now, fans at the Stadium of Light hope the Bellingham name will remain on the back of a Sunderland shirt for a while longer. Yet the prospect of a young, gifted player entering the Premier League during a heated relegation fight provides real intrigue.
Few would doubt his readiness, though, if he does take that leap. It’s the kind of story that keeps the January window alive with possibility, as Palace, Sunderland, and Bellingham decide what’s best for their futures.
