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Chelsea have reportedly pulled ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham ahead of the summer transfer window.
Jobe, the younger brother of Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham, has done well for Sunderland this season, alerting a number of clubs to his potential availability.
The 19-year-old has registered an impressive four goals and three assists in 36 Championship appearances, playing a key role in Sunderland’s unexpected push for Premier League promotion.
The Black Cats are currently in fourth place with five games left to play.
United are expected to be in the market for midfielders who can slot into Ruben Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 formation and Bellingham is seen as someone who fits the bill.
A report covered by The Peoples Person last month indicated that United are not the only party chasing Bellingham. The player is also on the radar of Brighton and Hove Albion, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
Now, CaughtOffside state that Chelsea are in pole position to secure the youngster’s signature.
“Chelsea are currently showing the strongest interest in a potential summer transfer window swoop for Sunderland wonderkid Jobe Bellingham, CaughtOffside understands.”
The news outlet adds that Bellingham also has admirers from abroad, with Bundesliga duo Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.
His older brother, Jude, made the move from the Championship to Dortmund, where he rose to prominence in Germany, ultimately securing a lucrative transfer to Madrid. Jobe may very well follow the same path if he deems it to be the correct decision for his career and development.
Two weeks ago, journalist Ben Jacobs explained that United are yet to advance on a summer deal for Bellingham.
Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT, “The player’s not really agitating for a move. There’s nothing advanced yet between Manchester United and Jobe Bellingham.”
“But what we can say about Manchester United is that part of Jim Ratcliffe’s sporting-led strategy is to lower the average age and to invest in home-grown talents. And Jobe Bellingham ticks both boxes.”
Bellingham joined Sunderland from Birmingham City for a fee of around £3m. He spent most of his first season at the Stadium of Light as an attacking midfielder but this term, he has thrived in a much deeper role, operating as a free-roaming number eight.
Featured image Nathan Stirk via Getty Images
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