The blockbuster transfer that could supercharge Birmingham City’s summer window budget
The Blues may set their transfer budget for a timely boost as they prepare to move forward when the summer transfer window opens.
In what promises to be a busy summer in the second city, Birmingham City has already made their first acquisition of the year. When a former player signs an eight-figure contract with one of Europe’s top teams, they will receive an additional £4.5 million to their transfer fund.
With the Tractor Boys, Birmingham, Leicester City, and Southampton joining a division already full of Premier League contenders, the Blues are hoping to duplicate Ipswich Town’s feat of back-to-back promotions in what may be the most competitive Championship in years.
Birmingham might even be in the running to beat Sunderland for promotion the next season if the Black Cats lose to Sheffield United at Wembley. However, it is doubtful that they will face academy graduate Jobe Bellingham, as the 19-year-old is expected to make a high-profile move to one of the top five clubs in Europe.
However, after bumbling his exit two years ago, Bellingham might be ready to give Tom Brady and Tom Wagner a much-needed lift.
Birmingham eyeing £4.5m Bellingham bonus
Bellingham, a schoolboy who was moved to Sunderland by Birmingham for a pittance of £3 million two years ago, has since established himself as a vital member of Regis Le Bris’ midfield. Superclubs have taken notice of his 15 goals from Wearside’s central midfield, and having one of the most well-known last names in contemporary football hasn’t hurt either.
Bellingham is also expected to follow in brother Jude’s footsteps by joining Borussia Dortmund for an even larger £30 million, of which Birmingham will receive 15% because of a sell-on provision in their transaction, according to EFL Analysis. In an unsettling turn of events, it is about the same as the windfall that the Blues received for Jude Bellingham’s £88.5 million move to Real Madrid, thanks to a 5% sell-on clause that sent Jude to Borussia Dortmund in 2020.
However, £7.5 million is still a very small return for a player that Transfermarkt presently values at easily more than twice that much. When Birmingham shipped him to the north-east at the age of 17, Jobe Bellingham had yet to score or provide an assist at St Andrews. He had played a pitiful 750 minutes for his boyhood club, many of which were essentially cameos off the bench.
Just eight times did he play for more than 30 minutes, and he started six of his 25 games in blue and white. Sunderland is currently the primary beneficiary of that lack of foresight, while Birmingham City is forced to settle for a meagre amount of insurance.
Birmingham targets with Bellingham windfall
In the summer transfer window, when the Blues want to sign both contracted and free agents, a £4.5 million boost would enable Chris Davies to make a significant impact.
While Kwame Poku, Nathan Redmond, and Callum Wilson have been linked to St Andrews on free transfers, Phil Neumann is already on board. Other players on the shopping list include a striker, a winger, and midfield reinforcements.
In the meanwhile, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi would energise Birmingham’s assault and have a track record of success in the Championship, with Crystal Palace considering bids for their 22-year-old.
Additionally, Sam Tickle, the custodian for Wigan, has long been due for promotion. Bellingham’s final farewell present would make it lot easier to accept for a player who would still have to contend with Ryan Allsop for a starting spot, even though his £6 million price tag is no laughing matter.
