REPORT: Product from Birmingham City’s academy linked to a £15 million Serie A transfer

Birmingham City academy product Jobe Bellingham is the subject of interest from Serie A club Lazio this summer, according to reports emerging in Italy. Attacking midfielder Bellingham left Blues last summer and joined Championship rivals Sunderland in a deal reported to be worth up to £3m.

He played 47 games for the Black Cats last season and scored seven times, often operating as a false nine as the club, under Tony Mowbray, Michael Beale and then former Blues academy head Mike Dodds, finished 16th in the Championship. Bellingham, though, has a number of clubs who have retained an interest in him.

Premier League trio Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Brentford have all been credited with an interest in the teenager, who played 26 times for Blues under Lee Bowyer and John Eustace, and now Lazio have been identified as the latest side who would be keen on recruiting Bellingham from Sunderland if he were to become available for a realistic price.