Some Birmingham City fans have defended the £50 million price tag being reported for their 16-year-old wunderkind Jude Bellingham.
Following heavy rumours surrounding Jude Bellingham’s future and links to some top clubs from England, as well as others around Europe, Birmingham City manager Pep Clotet has now added fuel to the gossip, stating that he “can imagine that would be a big possibility”, when questioned on the reality of the reported interest in Bellingham from Europe’s elite.
Despite being just 16 years old, Bellingham has featured significantly for the Blues in the Championship this season. Thus far, he has appeared in 28 of Birmingham’s 32 Championship games, starting 21 of them.
Bellingham’s reported £50 million price tag has drawn criticism from some recently. However, some Birmingham City fans have been quick to jump to the defence of their young talent, as well as their club’s sizeable price tag. Read the replies of some Birmingham City fans to criticism of Bellingham’s reported price tag in the tweets below.
“Football's gone mental… £50m for a 16-year-old is bonkers!” ?
“He’s getting £145-a-week & could get £100k-a-week!” ?
“I don’t like what I have read, come one! Calm down!” ?
Alan Brazil’s disgusted by reports PL clubs will pay £50m for #BCFC’s young star Jude Bellingham! pic.twitter.com/ErmD4I5Vpp
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) February 13, 2020
Turn his head? Top European teams have been knocking on his door since he was 15, atleast watch the kid play before passing judgment
— Paul Delves (@delves1) February 13, 2020
You’re late to the party. This lads been touted for years at ridiculous prices and they are outrageous. But the lads head is screwed on and not affected. Don’t group him with the stereotypical football kid. This one’s special because of how grounded he is.
Do your homework
— KRO88 (@_K_R_O__) February 13, 2020
One fan even called him the next Steven Gerrard, which is something that Jermaine Pennant previously stated.
He’s not just a normal 16 year old. He’s dictating games, assisting & scoring goals from midfield.
The next Steven Gerrard & I don’t say that easy as he was for me the most influential player that I’v ever seen live. Jude is that good plus he’s only going to get better.— Mike (@MikeJabBCFC) February 13, 2020
He’s worth whatever our club value him at, and if Chelsea or Manchester United are serious about getting him, they’ll pay it.
— Jack (@1875JA) February 13, 2020
Regardless of age… prices are over inflated because average players are also moving for big money, Solanke £19m just an example. Done nothing in the game to warrant that price! Bellingham has the footballing world at his feet how much this will cost someone is irrelevant!
— Lee W1875 (@LeeW1875) February 13, 2020
Bargain of the century at £50 million. However, more likely to be around £30 million leading to £40-50 with add ons IMO
— V?? (@Veno1983) February 13, 2020
£50m is cheap
— The Blue Machine (@Zigiclegend19) February 13, 2020
What do we think?
£50 million is undoubtedly a sizeable transfer fee for a 16-year-old prospect, even for Europe’s biggest and richest clubs. Football has experienced ‘hyperinflation’ in recent years with regard to transfer fees. This has been evident as the world transfer record set by Gareth Bale’s move to Real Madrid in 2013 has been bested eight times since, and is now less than half of the current world transfer record.
However, despite already playing a significant role for Birmingham City this season, Bellingham’s potential suitors will do well to keep the numerous cases of young players ultimately failing to reach their potential in mind prior to agreeing to pay a £50 million fee for a player who is still ultimately the unfinished article.