The blockbuster £32m done deal that will skyrocket Birmingham City's transfer reach

Birmingham City are set to see their summer transfer budget skyrocket as Sunderland have agreed to sell wonderkid midfielder Jobe Bellingham in a blockbuster deal.

Jobe, the younger brother of Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham, has been a revelation for Sunderland since joining from Birmingham in July 2023. The 19-year-old has racked up 11 goals and four assists in 90 appearances for the Black Cats, helping the club on their way to securing promotion to the Premier League with a dramatic late 2-1 win over Sheffield United at Wembley.

Top scorers Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda were the most influential in front of goal but Jobe made a stunning impact too, starting all but four of Sunderland’s league outings last season and playing 90 minutes in all three play-off ties. The 19-year-old featured in a variety of roles in midfield, sometimes in a more advanced number 10 position and otherwise a little further back as a deep-lying playmaker.

Jobe’s fine form gained substantial transfer interest from a host of Premier League clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur but the England Under-21 international has decided to move to Germany instead. Eintracht Frankfurt were in advanced talks at once stage but Jobe prefers to follow in his brother Jude’s footsteps.

Transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano reports Borussia Dortmund have struck an agreement with Sunderland to pay a €33 million fixed fee plus €5 million in add-ons, totalling €38 million (£32m). Jobe has already agreed personal terms with BVB and is expected to complete his transfer imminently, with Romano using his customary ‘here we go’ slogan.

Medical tests have been booked in for Jobe to complete his move to Signal Iduna Park. Sunderland fans were hoping the talent would stay for the club’s return to the Premier League but the Black Cats have at least landed a huge transfer fee that they can reinvest to improve other areas of their squad.

How much will Birmingham City make from Jobe Bellingham deal?

Blues let Jobe leave for Sunderland for a mere £3 million fee but, as mentioned, a crucial sell-on clause was included in the deal to ensure a profit was made further down the line. With Jobe now expected to leave the Black Cats for a £32 million fee including add-ons, Birmingham will benefit by raking in 15 per cent of Sunderland’s profit.

As Regis Le Bris’ side are set to receive a profit of £29 million, Blues will be due £4.35 million of that – a significant boost to the transfer budget. Birmingham were expected to have deep pockets this summer anyway as the club are on track to be competing with the best in the Championship for annual revenue, but this extra boost will be very handy indeed.

It’s a pivotal summer for Birmingham as they seek to move one step closer to the Premier League. Plenty of new signings can be expected and there will be the odd departure here and there to make room. It’ll be tough to say farewell to some of those who helped Blues rise back to the second tier, but that’s just the nature of football.

One signing has already been agreed, with central defender Phil Neumann joining on a free transfer upon the expiry of his Hannover 96 contract. The German is expected to start alongside Player of the Season winner Christoph Klarer.

Another addition is possible soon, with Kwame Poku in talks to join from Peterborough United. Just like Neumann, the winger would join without a transfer fee as his Posh contract expires on June 30. Blues are eager to improve on the right flank and Poku would fill that void effectively.

The midfield pairing of Tomoki Iwata and Paik Seung-ho should hold in the Championship but Birmingham are understood to be drawing up a shortlist of players who can provide strong competition. Then there’s a desire to sign a new striker, with Alfie May and Lyndon Dykes likely to fall down the pecking order.