"Maybe Crystal Palace will look at this" - Pundit tips creative Sunderland, Jobe Bellingham twist | OneFootball

Sunderland have reportedly turned down a number of bids for midfielder Jobe Bellingham this summer.

Highlights

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."

Jobe Bellingham interest may only be the start for Sunderland

Sunderland have appointed Regis Le Bris as their new head coach after over 120 days of searching for Michael Beale's permanent replacement, but plenty of uncertainty still remains at the Stadium of Light.

It was inevitable that Bellingham was going to attract interest this summer after an excellent first season with the Black Cats, but the club will also be braced for bids for the likes of Anthony Patterson, Dan Ballard, Dan Neil and Jack Clarke.

It is difficult to disagree with Palmer that Sunderland are right to put a £20 million valuation on Bellingham, particularly given the fact that Palace are set to receive a big windfall for Olise, and they will need to keep hold of their stars if they are to challenge for promotion next season.