Black Cats Face Ultimatum: Sunderland's Promotion Essential to Retain Jobe Bellingham amidst Interest from Manchester United and Chelsea

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The young star, who made the switch from Birmingham City to Sunderland last year, has been a standout performer for Regis Le Bris's squad. Sunderland is making a strong push for promotion to the Premier League, currently sitting in 4th place in the second tier and trailing league leaders Leeds United by just eight points.

The question remains whether Bellingham will remain with the Wearside outfit beyond this term, with clubs such as Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Arsenal said to be interested.

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As previously relayed by FourFourTwo, Bellingham is liked by a whole host of top-flight clubs, with Chelsea the latest club to have been linked with a seismic move.

The 19-year-old, ranked at no.50 in FourFourTwo's list of the most exciting teenagers to watch this season, is yet to decide where his future will be, but if his older brother's trajectory is anything to go off of, he is destined for an electric career at the top.

Sunderland expert and former striker Kevin Phillips believes it is simply a must for the Black Cats to achieve promotion this season if they have any hopes of keeping hold of the talented midfielder.

Asked the question by Betway recently, the ex-forward said: "Yes, simple as that. Bellingham is making a name for himself, and he’s doing it his way. He doesn’t want to be associated with his brother – that’s why he’s got ‘Jobe’ on the back of his shirt.

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"I’ve seen him play loads of times and he’s an excellent player. Unfortunately, they’ll need to go up in order to keep him.

"But Sunderland’s recruitment department have shown they’re very good at what they do so if he does go, I’m sure they’ll replace him with hopefully someone just as good."

In FourFourTwo's opinion, it is hard not to disagree with Phillips, especially given the amount of clubs circling around Jobe.

He won't be cheap but we do think you would be foolish to rule out a move to Europe, much like brother Jude did with Borussia Dortmund.