Massive Payday Incoming! Birmingham City to Cash In as Jobe Bellingham Eyes Big-Money Sunderland Exit
Birmingham City are expected to be one of the busiest clubs in the Championship following their promotion from League One.
Phil Neumann is excited to join the club after signing his pre-contract agreement from German side Hannover 96 in January, and he’s joined by the permanent addition of Alfons Sampsted from FC Twente.
While those captures were completed on the cheap, Birmingham have promised to smash their transfer record this summer, eclipsing the £15 million paid for Jay Stansfield in 2024.
The Blues can offer eye-watering sums of money to players compared to their Championship rivals, with suggestions that their weekly wage budget is at least £30k-a-week.
With an ‘aggressive’ transfer window in store for Birmingham, an update regarding the future of Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham could see them pocket further cash.
Birmingham City will receive £4.5m if Jobe Bellingham completes £30m transfer
In the summer of 2023, Sunderland paid just £3 million to sign Bellingham from Birmingham City. It was seen as a silly decision to sell the midfielder for such a low price, especially given what his brother has achieved in the sport.
The 19-year-old has since become an integral part of Regis Le Bris’ side, who are preparing for their Championship play-off final against Sheffield United.
In 42 appearances for the Black Cats this term, the England under-21 star has recorded four goals and three assists, with his all-round game also flourishing under Le Bris.
As a result, the youngster has attracted admirers from abroad, and German giants Borussia Dortmund are in pole position to sign Bellingham this summer for a reported £30 million.
Bellingham could potentially follow in the same direction as his brother by joining the Bundesliga side, and if he does, our Chief Football Correspondent, Graeme Bailey, has confirmed that Birmingham’s £15% sell-on clause is still active.
That means if the Englishman completes a £30m move to Dortmund, the Blues will receive £4.5 million, handing them a boost to their transfer kitty.
Birmingham can’t afford another Bellingham error
Everyone knew that Bellingham had the potential to become a top player but unfortunately, he wasn’t allowed to unlock it at St Andrew’s.
The youngster made 26 senior appearances for the club by the time he was 17-years-old, and although he failed to score or assist, selling him should never have been an option.
Birmingham instead received a nominal fee for the midfielder, and two years on, he’s close to leaving in a mega-money transfer.
Of course, the Blues will receive a fraction of the transfer fee, but this example serves as a reminder that young players deserve longer to showcase their talent, with Sunderland benefiting from Birmingham’s error.