The Villans are reportedly keeping close tabs on Bellingham alongside a host of Premier League and Champions League clubs.

Currently one of the star players at the promotion-chasing Sunderland, Bellingham has scored two goals and made two assists in 17 Championship matches so far this season. The 19-year-old was close to joining Tottenham Hotspur in the summer but the Black Cats turned down all approaches.

TBR Football reports transfer interest in Bellingham is higher than ever with Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid leading the race, rather fittingly given Jobe’s brother Jude’s career path. It’s also stated that Villa – alongside Arsenal, Chelsea, Brighton, Brentford and Fulham – have recently sent scouts to watch Bellingham in action.

Villa would have to see off a lot of competition to sign the wonderkid, complicated further by the fact Bellingham is a Birmingham City academy graduate. The midfielder is also a boyhood Blues fan and he’d no doubt receive a huge backlash if he made the move, so it’d be tricky to complete.

Widespread reports suggest Bellingham, predominantly an attacking midfielder but also accomplished as a false nine, would cost in excess of £20million. The vast interest in his services would only inflate that fee, too, so interested parties must decide if he’s worth the risk.

Birmingham, who sold Bellingham to Sunderland for £3million, would be due 15 per cent of the profits from a future sale due to a clause included in the deal. Villa would inadvertently help their arch rivals with a cash injection if they did bring in Bellingham.

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