Nottingham Forest and Marinakis Target £20M Championship Star

Nottingham Forest and owner Evangelos Marinakis are reportedly looking to strengthen their midfield options this summer. According to recent reports, the club has set its sights on Sunderland’s highly-rated young midfielder Jobe Bellingham.

The 19-year-old Bellingham, brother of Real Madrid star Jude, has impressed in the Championship this season. He has made 34 appearances for Sunderland, scoring 4 goals and providing 3 assists.

Forest are said to be among several Premier League clubs tracking Bellingham’s progress. Manchester United, Brentford and Brighton are also reportedly interested in the talented teenager.

Sunderland are reluctant to sell their prized asset and have reportedly set a £20 million asking price. However, they may struggle to keep hold of Bellingham if they fail to gain promotion to the Premier League this season.

For Forest, signing Bellingham could provide competition and depth in midfield alongside players like Morgan Gibbs-White. The club is hoping to retain Gibbs-White this summer amid interest from other top clubs.

Bellingham is under contract at Sunderland until 2028, putting the Black Cats in a strong negotiating position. However, the player is said to be keen on playing at the highest level, which could work in Forest’s favor if they can secure European football for next season.

While £20 million represents a significant outlay, Forest clearly view Bellingham as a player with immense potential who could strengthen their squad for years to come. The coming months will reveal whether they can win the race for his signature.