Exclusive: Sunderland plan to accept ‘huge’ Jobe Bellingham offer
Sunderland will accept a “huge” offer for Jobe Bellingham in the summer amid growing interest, sources have told Football Insider.
If Regis Le Bris’ side fail to win promotion to the Premier League, well-placed sources say they will be forced to accept a bumper offers should it arrive.
This comes as multiple Premier League clubs have been keeping an eye on his development at the Stadium of Light this season.
The likes of Crystal Palace and Tottenham have had scouts in attendance at a number of his games and are putting plans in place to make a summer move.
Meanwhile, Football Insider exclusively revealed in November that Borussia Dortmund are growing increasingly confident of landing the midfielder after closely tracking his progress.
Sunderland had initially planned to keep hold of all of their young stars, including Man United-linked Chris Rigg, but a lot will depend on whether they can earn promotion.
As things stand, Le Bris’ side are fourth in the Championship, five points behind Sheffield United in the automatic promotion places but 15 points ahead of seventh-placed Middlesbrough.
Borussia Dortmund rival Premier League clubs to sign Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham
Football Insider revealed in May that the Black Cats were set to demand up to £12million for Bellingham amid financial pressure on the club.
However, his price tag is expected to have shot up yet again after an impressive season in the Championship and given the level of interest in his signature.
A bidding war amongst multiple Premier League sides would be the ideal situation for Sunderland, as clubs continue to join the race to sign the midfielder.
So far this season, Bellingham has started 27 of their 31 Championship games and made his 100th professional appearance during their 3-2 win against Middlesbrough.
Tommy Watson exit still on cards after Brighton collapse
Another key player of Sunderland’s young core is 18-year-old Tommy Watson, who has made 10 appearances in the Championship in his breakthrough season.
As a result, he has also been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League, and came very close to joining Brighton on transfer deadline day (3 February).
Football Insider exclusively revealed that the winger had undergone a medical with the Seagulls and a late offer was accepted by Sunderland, but they ran out of time to finalise the move.
As a result, Watson is set to remain at the Stadium of Light until the end of the season, but is expected to face renewed offers from Premier League outfits in the summer.
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