Sunderland favourites to sign Jude Bellingham’s brother Jobe from Birmingham City

Sunderland are favourites to sign Birmingham City starlet Jobe Bellingham this summer.

The 17-year-old is following in the footsteps of his brother – Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham – moving on from the Blues after just one full season in their first team.

The Black Cats are currently on course to concludre a £3million deal with their Championship rivals to land the promising midfielder.

The England Under-18s star would join a side aiming for promotion next season after just missing out to Luton in the play-offs.

The midfielder was also in attendance at Kenilworth Road as he watching the club he’s been heavily linked to lose 2-0 on the night to hand the Hatters a 3-2 win on aggregate.

Sunderland first-team coach Mike Dodds was with the player at St Andrews, while their director of football, Kristjaan Speakman, held the role of academy manager with the Midlands club during Bellingham’s rise.

Earlier this week, talkSPORT brought you the news that Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray is currently trying to save his job after his side failed to regain their Premier League status.

However, despite questions over who will be in the Stadium of Light dugout next season, it appears the Black Cats are already preparing to get promoted already, with Bellingham’s transfer already in the works.

Sunderland finished sixth on the final day of the Championship campaign, whilst Birmingham came 17th, nine points off the relegation zone.

Bellingham – who made his senior debut for the Blues at the age of 16 in 2021/22 – has played 23 games for John Eustace’s side this season, making six starts in that time and gaining high praise from club captain Troy Deeney.

Ironically, Bellingham made his full debut for Birmingham City against Sunderland at St Andrews in November in a game the Black Cats eventually won 2-1.