Jobe Bellingham latest as Birmingham City and Sunderland squabble over transfer

It all seemed as if Sunderland were going to complete the signing of Birmingham City youngster Jobe Bellingham with a medical said to be booked, but conflicting reports have now emerged.

The 17-year-old became a key player for John Eustace at the tail end of the 2022-23 season, as Blues managed to hit their highest Championship points tally for more than half a decade.

Bellingham made a total of 22 league appearances, including four consecutive starts against Millwall, Blackpool, Coventry City and Sheffield United – the last of which his brother Jude was in attendance for.

Although Birmingham is Bellingham’s boyhood club, the play-off ambitions of Sunderland are likely to sway him and he did in fact pay a visit to the Stadium of Light after Blues’ campaign ended.

So, what is the latest?

Sky Sports reported in mid-May that Sunderland were “in advanced talks and hopeful of concluding a deal to sign Bellingham”, following up on their long-standing interest in the youngster.

At the end of May, transfer news journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed Bellingham would “travel to Sunderland” with “medical tests scheduled ahead of a £3 million move” but this has since been contradicted elsewhere.

The Daily Mail gave a fresh update on June 5, stating it wasn’t £3 million but rather £1 million and that “Sunderland have been told they will need to raise their offer” in order to secure Bellingham’s services.

Now, as it stands, nothing has been confirmed by either club and it remains unclear whether it was Romano or The Daily Mail getting it right on the fee and if a medical has taken place.

Regardless, Birmingham World understands the Black Cats have been keeping tabs on Bellingham for well over a year and will almost certainly negotiate until a deal is done – and that’s if it hasn’t already been agreed.