Sunderland 'braced' for January bids for midfield star as West Ham and Tottenham 'interested'

Sunderland are reportedly bracing themselves to receive bids for midfielder Jobe Bellingham as several top teams are reportedly interested in landing the 19-year-old in the January transfer window.

The brother of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, who was recently selected into Lee Carsley’s latest England squad, Jobe is also tipped for big things and has impressed so far this season at Sunderland, making 13 appearances with two goals and an assist. He has also helped Régis Le Bris’ side to a fantastic start in the Championship as they sit on the top of the table after 15 matches on 31 points.

However, they are at risk of losing Bellingham in the next transfer window with at least three Premier League teams keen on the midfielder and Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund who initially signed Jude Bellingham from Birmingham City before selling him to Real Madrid for £88.5 million.

West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace are all reportedly keen, per the Sunderland Echo, as the Black Cats were able to stave away interest in Bellingham over the summer.

The report suggests that Dortmund showed interest over the summer, but West Ham and Crystal Palace did make several bids for the midfielder, all of which were rejected by Sunderland as they have hopes of promotion up to the Premier League themselves.

West Ham reportedly value the 19-year-old at £21m, however, Sunderland are expected to place a big price tag on Bellingham in an attempt to keep him at the Stadium of Light in January amid their push for promotion from the Championship.

Furthermore, Jobe signed a new contract with the Black Cats in the summer which is due to keep him on Wearside until 2028. However, with interest from big-name clubs such as Dortmund and Tottenham, it could be enough to tempt the midfielder away from Sunderland should the pursuing clubs be prepared to dip into their pockets to land his signature.

Sunderland desperate to keep hold of Bellingham

The Black Cats seem very keen on keeping Bellingham at least for the remainder of this season in their attempts to earn Championship promotion. He has only been at the Stadium of Light for just over a year as he signed from now League One club Birmingham City for £1.5m in July 2023.

Bellingham has since made a total of 60 appearances for the Black Cats, scoring nine goals and two assists. Last season, he helped his side finish 16th in the Championship in what was a disappointing year under Tony Mowbray and Michael Beale. However, the club’s ambition has sky-rocketed this season after their hot start and they will make it difficult for the likes of Spurs and West Ham to chase after Bellingham in order to keep hold of him.