The Blues’ transfer budget could be set for a timely boost, as the club look to push on once the summer transfer window opens

Birmingham City have already made their first signing of what’s set to be a busy summer in the second city, and they’re set for a £4.5 million boost to their transfer kitty when a former player makes an eight-figure move to one of Europe’s elite.

Blues are aiming to replicate Ipswich Town’s achievement of back-to-back promotions in what could be the most competitive Championship in years with the Tractor Boys, Birmingham, Leicester City, Southampton joining a division already packed with Premier League hopefuls.

Birmingham could even be battling Sunderland for promotion next season if the Black Cats lose at Wembley against Sheffield United, though it’s unlikely they’ll come up against academy graduate Jobe Bellingham as the 19-year-old is set for a big-money move to one of Europe’s top five leagues.

But after fumbling his departure two years ago, Bellingham could be set to provide a welcome boost to Tom Brady and Tom Wagner.

Birmingham eyeing £4.5m Bellingham bonus

Birmingham sent Bellingham to Sunderland for a measly £3m two years ago, and the teenager has become an integral cog in Regis Le Bris’ midfield. His 15 goal contributions from central midfield on Wearside have caught the eye of superclubs while one of the most famous surnames in modern football hasn’t done any harm either.

And Bellingham appears set to follow in brother Jude’s footsteps by signing for Borussia Dortmund, for an even higher sum of £30m that Birmingham will see 15% of that thanks to a sell-on clause included in their sale, a detail confirmed by EFL Analysis. In a spooky twist of fate, that’s almost identical to the windfall Blues received for Jude Bellingham’s move to Real Madrid for £88.5m, thanks to a 5% sell-on clause baked into their deal sending Jude to Borussia Dortmund in 2020.

However, £7.5m remains a pretty meagre return for a player currently valued at comfortably more than double that by Transfermarkt. Jobe Bellingham was yet to register a goal or assist at St Andrews when Birmingham sent him to the north east aged only 17, but had clocked a paltry 750 minutes for his boyhood club with many of those appearances effectively cameos from the bench.

He started six of his 25 games in blue and white and played over half an hour on just eight occasions. Now Sunderland are the main beneficiaries of that short-sightedness, while Birmingham City must make with do with a fraction in insurance.

Birmingham targets with Bellingham windfall

A £4.5m boost would help Chris Davies make serious waves in the summer transfer market, as Blues target a mixture of free agents and contracted players.

Phil Neumann is already on board while midfield reinforcements, a winger and a striker are also on the shopping list with Kwame Poku, Nathan Redmond and Callum Wilson linked to St Andrews on free transfers.

Meanwhile Jesurun Rak-Sakyi would electrify Birmingham’s attack and bring proven Championship pedigree with Crystal Palace open to offers for their 22-year-old.

And Wigan goalkeeper Sam Tickle has been due for promotion for a while now. Though his £6m price tag is no laughing matter, Bellingham’s final parting gift would make it much easier to stomach for a player who’d still have to compete with Ryan Allsop for a starting berth.