Jobe Bellingham transfer latest: Newcastle United interest, Real Madrid latest, Roy Keane advice | OneFootball

Sunderland will be hoping to keep hold of midfielder Jobe Bellingham this month.

Bellingham arrived at the Stadium of Light from Birmingham City in June for a fee that was initially reported to be around £3 million, although it has been claimed that it was as low as £1.5 million.

The 18-year-old has been a regular starter so far this season, and he has starred for the Black Cats, scoring four goals and providing one assist in 27 appearances in all competitions.

He has played a key role in Sunderland's play-off push, and his side currently sit sixth in the Championship table, one point clear of seventh-placed Hull City.

Bellingham's performances this campaign will no doubt have attracted attention from elsewhere, and with the January transfer window open for business, we rounded up all the latest news surrounding the midfielder.

Sunderland suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, and the Magpies could be set to cause more misery for their local rivals.

According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle spoke to the family of Bellingham before he made the move to Sunderland in the summer having monitored his development over the previous years.

However, Bellingham wanted assurances of regular game time, but he could not be provided with those guarantees at St James' Park, meaning he chose to join the Black Cats.

Despite missing out on him in the summer, Newcastle are said to have "continued to watch Bellingham this season", and other Premier League clubs are also reportedly keeping tabs on the midfielder.

revealed in December that Chelsea were keen on Bellingham, but it remains to be seen whether any top flight clubs will make a move over the coming weeks.

Real Madrid latest

Jobe's brother Jude joined Spanish giants Real Madrid this summer for an initial fee of £88.5 million, and he has made a big impact at the Bernabeu so far.

Comparisons between the pair are inevitable, but many have tipped Jobe to follow in Jude's footsteps, and according to Spanish outlet Sport, Real Madrid have been impressed by his development and could make a move.

Los Blancos are said to be aware that should Bellingham sign for a top Premier League side, his valuation will significantly increase and it could be tough to complete a deal in the future, meaning they could look to land his signature now.

With some of Europe's biggest clubs said to be tracking Bellingham, Sunderland could be facing a battle to retain of one of their prized assets.

Roy Keane issues advice

Bellingham's rapid rise this season has led to plenty of speculation about his future, but pundit and former Sunderland manager Roy Keane has urged the midfielder to remain focused on performing for the Black Cats.

"He's got a chance the kid. The problem is obviously we're all going to be putting pressure on him," Keane said on ITV before Saturday's game against Newcastle, quoted by the Sunderland Echo.

"He's playing week in week out in Championship, which is never easy. The coach is there. He's obviously got a good relationship, that's gonna help him settle into the club, the talk about his mentality is going to be huge. So it's a big opportunity for him today playing against obviously a very good team in the Premiership.

"That's part of the challenge for him and that's where his family comes into it. Yeah, he'll be getting plaudits from people like us who played the game. But he's got to stay level headed, which he will do.