Sunderland: Lazio plot Jobe Bellingham raid as Chelsea and Spurs lurk | OneFootball

Italian side Lazio are targeting a move for Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham this summer.

According to Calciomercato, the Serie A club are eyeing a deal for the teenager at the end of the campaign.

It is set to be a busy summer for Lazio, with a number of players set to depart when the season ends due to expiring contracts.

Important figures like Ciro Immobile, Felipe Anderson and Luis Alberto are all heading for the exit under new coach Igor Tudor.

Tudor is planning to bring younger players into the squad for next season, with an overhaul of the team planned.

Jobe Bellingham transfer latest

Bellingham has enjoyed a positive debut season at Sunderland following his move from Birmingham City last year.

He signed for the Black Cats in a deal worth around £3 million, and has cemented himself as a key part of the side.

This has attracted transfer interest from across Europe, as well as England, heading into the upcoming transfer market.

Real Madrid have also been linked with a potential move for the Sunderland star, as they eye pairing him with older brother Jude, who signed from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

However, the two European clubs face competition from a number of sides at home, with the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur among the clubs interested in signing the 18-year-old.

Bellingham has a contract with the Wearside outfit until the summer of 2027, meaning there is no immediate rush to cash in on the player.

It is also set to be a busy summer for the Championship side, who are currently searching for a permanent head coach appointment.

The likes of Jack Clarke and Anthony Patterson are also gaining transfer interest, so big decisions will need to be made soon by Sunderland regarding the futures of their top players.

Jobe Bellingham's importance to Sunderland

Bellingham has featured 40 times for Sunderland so far in the Championship, contributing seven goals and one assist (all stats from Fbref).

It has been a disappointing second half of the season for the Black Cats, who have fallen out of play-off contention.

Poor form under Michael Beale and interim head coach Mike Dodds has seen the club fall to 13th in the table.

It remains to be seen if this dip in form will impact the future of Bellingham, with no new manager yet appointed.

Paul Heckingbottom has been linked with the vacancy, as have Will Still and Danny Rohl.

Bellingham will have his pick of next club

Bellingham has enjoyed a very positive debut season with Sunderland, so it’s no surprise he is attracting transfer attention given his age and his name.

While a move this summer may prove a year too early for the midfielder, there is no doubt that he will have his pick of clubs given the number of sides chasing his signature.

Remaining patient and sticking with Sunderland for another year might be the best option for the time being, as it guarantees game time.

But there is no doubt that he will make the move to top flight football in the near future, with or without the Black Cats.