Chelsea ready top bid in game-changing Bellingham exit news at Sunderland
Premier League giants Chelsea are reportedly lining up a move for Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham.
Bellingham’s performances for the Mackems have already caught the attention of Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund, who his older brother Jude starred for prior to joining Champions League holders Real Madrid during the summer of 2023.
The teenager enjoyed an impressive debut season at the Stadium of Light last term, as he notched seven goals and one assist for the Wearsiders, despite the fact they finished just 16th in the Championship.
This season, though, Bellingham has hit a new level while his four goals and three assists so far this campaign has helped Sunderland to fourth place, as they look set to finish in the play-offs under the stewardship of Regis Le Bris.
Chelsea set to fend off competition in transfer race for Bellingham
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is intent on an ethos of signing English talent, which has beckoned the Stamford Bridge side’s interest in Bellingham.
| Jobe Bellingham stats | 2024/25 Championship season |
| Appearances | 32 |
| Starts | 32 |
| Pass accuracy % | 85.4 |
| Chances created | 40 |
| Expected assists (xA) | 2.16 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Shots | 44 |
| Shots on target | 9 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 2.42 |
| Goals | 4 |
As per the Sun on Sunday (page 53, 9 March), Chelsea have decided to join the race for the 19-year-old’s signature, alongside the likes of Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen as well as Premier League duo Tottenham and Crystal Palace.
The Sun’s report adds that the West London club’s interest in Bellingham is being seen as a game-changer, as Enzo Maresca’s side are willing to be the top-bidder for the Sunderland midfielder come the summer transfer window.
Sunderland will have to win promotion to retain Bellingham
Chelsea are the latest European giant to be credited with interest in Sunderland’s Bellingham, so the Black Cats are now in an uphill battle to retain his services, despite the fact he is under contract at the Stadium of Light until the end of the 2027/28 season.
Meanwhile, Le Bris’ side currently sit fourth in the Championship table with a 15-point cushion between themselves and seventh place Bristol City, so the Mackems are on course to land a play-off spot with just 10 games remaining in the second tier.
Furthermore, Sunderland have done well to bounce back from back-to-back defeats to Leeds and Hull with consecutive wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff on 28th February and 8th March respectively.
But amid growing interest in England Under-21 international Bellingham, surely the Black Cats’ only way of retaining their man is to win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.