Chelsea are said to be one of three major European clubs closely monitoring Sunderland talent Jobe Bellingham.
The younger sibling of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, Jobe has been making a name for himself in the Championship, where Sunderland are pushing for promotion to the Premier League.
His performances have reportedly drawn interest from several clubs, with The Sun suggesting that Chelsea are ready to outbid their competition.
The Blues are believed to be prioritizing the addition of homegrown players to their squad, recognizing the value of a strong domestic presence in the Premier League.
Following a similar trajectory to his older brother, Jobe has already made an impact at the international level with England’s under-21 side.
A move beyond the Championship appears to be on the horizon, and unlike Jude, Chelsea hope he remains in the English league system by joining them in London.
Enzo Maresca will be aiming to fend off interest from abroad, as Borussia Dortmund are reportedly keen to continue the Bellingham legacy by bringing the 19-year-old to Germany.
Interest from the Bundesliga extends beyond Dortmund, with current champions Bayer Leverkusen also keeping a close eye on the midfielder.
Sunderland are determined to hold onto Bellingham beyond this season, with promotion seen as a crucial factor in convincing him to stay.
However, with the Black Cats sitting eight points behind the automatic promotion spots and just 10 games left, their route to the Premier League will likely depend on the play-offs.
That could mean facing off against Leeds United, Sheffield United, or Burnley—three of the Championship’s top contenders who have been battling for automatic promotion in recent months.
If Sunderland fail to secure promotion, a transfer for Bellingham could become more probable, with Chelsea among the clubs ready to make their move.
His market value is believed to be around £40 million, but with multiple teams in the mix, a bidding war could drive the price even higher.
So far this season, Bellingham has made 32 Championship appearances, contributing four goals and three assists.