Jobe Bellingham is in high demand, with Russell Martin’s Saints being the latest team linked to him.
Southampton has entered the race for Sunderland’s young star Jobe Bellingham, joining other Premier League clubs in their pursuit, as reported by the Sunderland Echo.
Following their immediate promotion back to the Premier League, Southampton is in a strong position to negotiate for new players. Russell Martin’s team capitalized on Leeds United’s poor performance to win the play-off final, securing their spot in the top flight. This summer, significant player movement is expected at St Mary’s, with the club already securing Taylor Harwood-Bellis in a £20m deal.
While new talents are being considered, some players might leave the south-coast club. Che Adams and Paul Onuachu are both linked with potential exits. As a result, strengthening the attack will likely be a priority for Southampton, with Armando Broja and Sunderland’s Jack Clarke among their targets. Clarke, who has excelled on the left wing since his permanent move, is a key player on their radar following their promotion.
The latest addition to Southampton’s interest is Jobe Bellingham.
According to the Sunderland Echo, no formal bids have been received yet, but several Premier League teams, including Crystal Palace, are eyeing the 18-year-old. Brentford and Southampton are among the clubs linked to Bellingham, with European teams also showing interest. Despite this, Sunderland remains in a strong position to keep him, thanks to his long-term contract signed last year.
Bellingham, who has been with Sunderland for just a year, played a significant role last season, making 47 appearances and scoring seven goals. Losing him would be a blow for the Black Cats, especially given his contributions as a regular starter. While clubs might offer substantial sums for him this summer, holding onto him could increase his value with another season of development.
Retaining Bellingham would be beneficial for Sunderland, particularly if Jack Clarke departs. If both players leave, Sunderland will need to find suitable replacements to maintain their attacking prowess.