Insight into Jobe Bellingham saga as Sunderland and Birmingham City back and forth continues

Sunderland looked set to announce the signing of Birmingham City's Jobe Bellingham soon after the end of the 2022/23 season. But fans are still waiting to see the move announced.

Bellingham was allegedly spotted at the Stadium of Light for the first leg of Sunderland's play-off semi-final v Luton Town last month.

A couple of weeks later, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Bellingham was set to travel to Wearside to undergo the medical and complete his move with a £3million transfer fee move agreed.

Then, Sunderland Nation exclusively revealed that the fee was much less than the £3million reported by Romano.

And then, Daily Mail claimed that Sunderland had been told to up their offer for Bellingham, which is said to stand at around £1million.

The latest twist in this saga comes from Birmingham World. They say that Sunderland 'have been keeping tabs on Bellingham for well over a year' and that they will 'almost certainly negotiate until a deal is done – and that’s if it hasn’t already been agreed'.

Bellingham to Sunderland...

There's no doubting that Bellingham is a long-term target for Sunderland, and that the Black Cats have a more-than-firm interest in signing the Blues and England youth man this summer.

But the delays in finalising the move isn't good news for the Black Cats. The longer that it rumbles on, the more chance it gives other interested sides to swoop in.

What's more is that those potentially interested sides will know how much it'll cost to bring in Bellingham, and Birmingham City may be tempted into accepting the first offer that comes in and matches their valuation after this saga with Sunderland.

But Birmingham World's report gives Sunderland hope of getting the deal over the line eventually.

The summer transfer window officially opens on June 14th.

Bellingham to Sunderland...

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