When Jude Bellingham could return to Birmingham City - potential time tipped | OneFootball

Many will expect Bellingham to return to Blues in the latter stages of his career - but could it happen even sooner?

There has been no hiding of Birmingham City's ambitious future plans under the ownership of Tom Wagner, with plans very much underway to move into the Powerhouse Stadium in a few years' time.

Back in October 2025, it was revealed by Wagner that Blues' new future home would be designed by both Heatherwick Studio and MANICA, with huge chimneys that soar into the Midlands skyline being a key feature of what is set to be a 62,000-seater arena.

At some point, Birmingham will leave their long-standing home of St. Andrew's Stadium for the larger complex in the east of the city, with a planned opening of the start of the 2030-31 season, giving them another four full years at their current venue to try and get back to the Premier League.

City have not been in the top flight of English football since 2011, but backed by American hedge fund wealth, there's a desire to climb back to that level as soon as possible, and whilst that may not be in 2026, there will be hope in the next few years that it becomes a reality - and it may attract familiar faces back to the club.

Jude Bellingham tipped for Birmingham City homecoming - potentially in 2031

Not many teenagers see their shirt number retired at a club, but that's exactly what Birmingham did for Jude Bellingham in 2020 when he was sold to Borussia Dortmund at the age of just 17.

Bellingham had played just 41 Championship games for City before his departure, but there was evidently a talent in there - one that has already shined for England and Real Madrid on the biggest stages.

He was involved in the promotion video for Birmingham's new planned stadium, with Wagner hinting at the time that he could be given the platform to return and play for the club at the highest level, should they get there, and another claim has been dropped about a potential homecoming for the Real Madrid star - this time by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

Knight has been a big behind-the-scenes figure at St. Andrew's since Wagner's takeover nearly three years ago, and thinks that it's entirely possible that Bellingham will return to Birmingham one day - and perhaps at the peak of his powers when he reaches a certain age - which will be a year into having their new stadium.

“He came back from Madrid and appeared in the film to launch the design for the stadium and did his bit, so I want him to come back [to play for Birmingham] one day,” Knight told The Telegraph.

When? “Twenty-eight. I’m saying maybe 28 come back then. Why not? I don’t know. I mean, who knows? Who knows what he’s going to do, but if we became good, I think he would come back.”

Jude Bellingham return to Birmingham City in 2031 feels unlikely - but never say never

Bellingham turns 28 years old in June 2031, and that is an age where many top footballers are theoretically at the peak of their ability.

For some though, like Wayne Rooney, who like Bellingham burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old, their peak is between 24 and 26 years old, with their longevity at the top level perhaps not quite lasting out.

It's very hard to see Bellingham returning to Birmingham City at the age of 28 as it currently stands. Real Madrid paid the best part of €133.9 million (add-ons included) to Borussia Dortmund to land Bellingham's services, and even though injuries have been an issue for him in recent times, there is plenty of development left in the 46-cap England international.

For whatever reason though, should Bellingham not hit the heights expected within the next few years, then a return to Blues could end up being on the radar for the time-frame that Knight has hinted at - the club will want to be established back in the Premier League by the time 2030 and the Powerhouse Stadium arrives, and there would be no better player for the club and the city to guide them into the next generation.