Birmingham City set for transfer disappointment as Sunderland stance clear amid Crystal Palace interest

Blues, still managerless following Tony Mowbray’s exit, are set for quite the exodus under whomever takes to the dugout. Several players have already departed the club following the expiries of contracts and loans, while others are expected to leave due to the drop in division. 

Transfer business will be paramount in deciphering Birmingham’s chances of bouncing straight back to the Championship, and as will funds. Sunderland could have a say in just how much budget Blues will have to play with as a decision looms for Jobe Bellingham. 

The Birmingham academy product is the subject of intense interest from an array of Premier League clubs and could make a big-money switch in the coming months. Blues’ £3 million sale came as a surprise last year as the fee was so low but a 15 per cent sell-on clause was included in the deal.

Jobe, the younger brother of Jude Bellingham, has been widely linked with Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford in recent weeks. It’s been reported that a fee of around £20 million could be enough to snap up the youngster, potentially earning Blues an extra £3 million.

Sunderland’s stance could inhibit Birmingham

The anticipated cash injection for Birmingham may have to wait, however, as The Guardian reports Sunderland are very reluctant to sell Bellingham this summer. The Black Cats are said to be keen to keep hold of their wonderkid midfielder for a while longer ahead of a hopeful Championship play-off push next season.

Interest from across Europe - including from Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund - could prompt a bidding war, however, making a sale more tempting. Birmingham, watching closely, could benefit if Bellingham stays as his value could increase even further ahead of a transfer away.