According to Give Me Sport, Crystal Palace does not consider Sunderland attacking midfielder Jobe Bellingham a crucial part of their summer recruitment plans, despite showing interest in him. The 18-year-old has garnered significant attention recently due to his impressive performances in the Championship at such a young age.
Bellingham, who had a limited role at Birmingham City before transferring to Sunderland, has enjoyed considerable playing time during the 2023/24 season. Starting regularly, the England youth international has demonstrated his potential, suggesting that Sunderland could earn a substantial profit if they decide to sell him in the future. Birmingham City holds a 15% sell-on clause, ensuring they will benefit financially from any future sale, but Sunderland stands to make significant gains regardless.
| Jobe Bellingham’s 2023/24 campaign at Sunderland | |
|---|---|
| (All competitions) | |
| Appearances | 47 |
| Goals | 7 |
| Assists | 1 |
While Crystal Palace is interested in Bellingham, Give Me Sport reports that the club does not view him as essential to their summer plans. There is uncertainty about whether the young midfielder fits the profile of player they need as they prepare for Oliver Glanser’s first full season in charge at Selhurst Park. The Eagles may prefer to sign more experienced players who are ready to compete in the Premier League immediately. Nonetheless, Give Me Sport has not completely ruled out a potential move by Palace, who have long admired Bellingham.
Brentford has also shown interest in Bellingham but shares concerns about whether he can consistently perform at the Premier League level. This hesitation from both clubs could benefit Sunderland, who are keen to retain the promising young talent.
Jobe Bellingham should consider staying at Sunderland for now. The Premier League is a challenging environment, and he might struggle if he isn’t ready to make a significant impact for teams like Palace and Brentford. Without guaranteed playing time at either club, remaining at the Stadium of Light appears to be a wiser choice at this stage of his career.
Selling Bellingham could potentially help Sunderland retain Jack Clarke, but the club should prioritize keeping Bellingham, who could increase in value by next summer. With regular playing time next season, Bellingham is likely to improve further, building on the valuable experience he gained during the previous campaign. Sunderland offers a nurturing environment for young players to develop, making it the ideal place for Bellingham to continue his growth. Moving to a Premier League club now would be a risky decision, one that he does not need to take given the time remaining on his contract.