Jude Bellingham is one of the hottest prospects in world football right now and is well poised at the centre of one of the biggest transfer battles in recent memory. and Chelsea are aware of the fight on their hands to secure his signature.<\/p>\n
The 19-year-old has already elevated himself to world-class levels on the biggest stage and\u00a0already there is no end to the suitors who are already lining him dead centre in their crosshairs.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder has also now made his presence felt as one of Gareth Southgate’s first choice midfielders, starting six of the last seven games for his country and is set to be a key player for England at the winter World Cup.<\/p>\n
Young Bellingham joined the Bundesliga for a world-record fee for a 17-year-old in 2020 and won his first cap less than six months later. There\u2019re no doubts he is expected to be sitting pretty at the middle of one of the most massive bidding wars in football history this summer.<\/p>\n
Although currently valued at over \u00a3100million, there\u2019s no price tag set yet as this will certainly be boosted if he comes through with flying colors in Qatar, assuredly. It\u2019s also unlikely that this will in any way put many teams off going for him as he\u2019s already being viewed as a once in a generation type of midfielder.<\/p>\n
Chelsea are already known to be one of the interested suitors ready to pull the trigger, having already spent over \u00a3250million but did not follow up with an official bid under Todd Boehly\u2019s ambitious transfer plans. The Blues could well match that figure again over the next two windows with high-profile midfield and attacking targets being scouted for Graham Potter’s Chelsea side.<\/p>\n
Bellingham should be key to Chelsea\u2019s midfield overhaul to be undertaken by Potter, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano as central midfielders are going to be high up their list. This is especially so with N’Golo Kante’s injury worries on-top of his expiring contract next summer exacerbating the issue, not to mention Jorginho’s deal running down.<\/p>\n
“I can tell you, we\u2019re going to have a crazy few months of rumours ahead involving Jude Bellingham,” Romano explained to CaughtOffside<\/em>.<\/p>\n “But, it\u2019s still important to stress that Borussia Dortmund are not negotiating with any clubs as of today \u2013 they will set their final asking price after the World Cup, there is no release clause in his contract. This is an important detail, because Dortmund are aware that Bellingham\u2019s performances at the World Cup will surely affect his market value.<\/p>\n “Some rumours will be true, some will be untrue, that is part of the game. What I know for sure is that all the top European clubs will be there for Bellingham \u2013 some have started contacts, others are still waiting to join the race.<\/p>\n “Man City and United will also be there, but watch out for Real Madrid \u2013 they sold Casemiro to Manchester United and they have two fantastic, but ageing midfield players in Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. This is why Bellingham is on Real\u2019s list, but it\u2019s important to remember the player doesn\u2019t have an agreement with any club yet. Everything is open, and it will take time.<\/p>\n “Chelsea are thinking of a new midfielder as well \u2013 they wanted Frenkie de Jong this summer, and they have N\u2019Golo Kante’s difficult contract situation. Bellingham is attracting interest from Chelsea, so let\u2019s see what happens with this long list of clubs.”<\/p>\n Liverpool have also come up sorely lacking with injuries impacting Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson leaving them exposed whilst Manchester City as always have the funds to dwarf most rivals, not to mention they already have a direct line to Dortmund after having acquired Erling Haaland this summer.<\/p>\n However, it is interesting to note that someone who may have access to making recommendations to Bellingham outside of Chelsea and Manchester City is Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson because of his pivotal presence in England\u2019s Qatar camp.<\/p>\n “I like Jude, I think he’s an amazing player,” said Henderson while speaking at a McDonald’s Fun Football event in Liverpool.<\/p>\n “He’s a fantastic professional and his mentality is really key for his development. I almost don’t want to big him up too much because he’s still a young lad! There will be a lot of pressure on him at a young age, but of course he’s a top, top player, and I’m sure he’ll have a big part to play in Qatar.”<\/p>\n Regarding the Manchester United interest, former United and Watford keeper Ben Foster said: “For me personally, I would love to see him go to Manchester United.”<\/p>\n “I think he would thrive more at Manchester United, he\u2019d have more responsibility and I think he would enjoy it there more. I think he would know he\u2019s the main man.<\/p>\n “I worry that if he went to a club like Man City he might just sort of [end up] a little like Jack Grealish. He would just fade a little bit at Manchester City. So I would love him at Manchester United, I think he would smash it.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"