Carlton Palmer believes Sunderland have made the right decision to place a £20 million valuation on midfielder Jobe Bellingham this summer, although the pundit does wonder if a buy-to-loan agreement might be something on the table before long.
Bellingham joined the Black Cats from Birmingham City last summer for a reported fee of £1.5 million, and he was one of the standout performers in a disappointing season for the club that saw them finish 16th in the Championship table.
The 18-year-old’s performances have not gone unnoticed, and The Guardian’s Ed Aarons claims that Sunderland have “turned down offers from Crystal Palace and several other clubs” for Bellingham this summer.
The Black Cats are said to be “determined” to keep hold of Bellingham, and they “will only consider selling for a fee in excess of £20m”.
However, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Palace are still working on a deal for Bellingham, who is reportedly one of their “main targets”, and with the Eagles set to sell winger Michael Olise to Bayern Munich in a deal worth around £50 million, they could have the funds to meet his valuation.
Carlton Palmer backs Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham transfer stance
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that Sunderland are right to demand £20 million for a player of Bellingham’s potential, but he suggested that a deal could be reached with Palace if they agree to send him back to the Stadium of Light on loan next season.
“The battle to keep hold of their best players has begun for Sunderland,” Palmer said.
“It is now being reported that Sunderland have received several bids for the signature of Jobe Bellingham.
“Multiple offers have come in already, but Sunderland are adamant that they will not sell for less than £20 million.
“One of those clubs that is very keen on Jobe is Crystal Palace, but the problem they have is that they’ve just sold Michael Olise for a minimum of £60 million.
“I know it’s a complicated deal, but they’re going to get a lot of money, so Sunderland are going to stand firm for the 18-year-old.
“They believe the player is only going to get better and that the fee will increase.
“I think it is absolutely the right stance.
“It is believed they paid £1.5 million plus add-ons, I’m sure Birmingham City must have put a sell-on clause in there, so any deal will be subject to that.
“I think it’s absolutely the right decision because obviously they’ve got to bring in a player to replace Jobe Bellingham, which is going to cost them money and cost them wages.
“Jobe is only 18, he’s only going to get better, he’s playing regular first team football.
“The only thing I would say is that if Crystal Palace do not believe he could go straight into their first team, a deal could be struck for him to come back on loan for him for the season, and I could see something like that materialising.
“Maybe Crystal Palace will look at this and say that Jobe Bellingham is 18 years of age, at £20 million we could sell him like we’re selling Olise for £60-70 million if he continues to progress the way that he is.”
