Chelsea are reportedly preparing a move for Jude Bellingham, should he leave Borussia Dortmund next summer.
As reported in The Sun, the London club are looking to make Bellingham their statement pitch for next season under new manager Graham Potter, a huge fan of the England international.
Bellingham has been heavily linked with Liverpool and Manchester United over the last 12 months and Chelsea will face a tough fight for his signature.
The midfielder is one of the highest-rated youngsters on the planet at the moment, and has been going strong in Germany since moving from the city of Birmingham.
Graham Potter is a huge fan of Jude Bellingham and would love to sign the player.
Dortmund would want a figure of around £100m. We would face competition from Liverpool and United for his signing. [The Chelsea Chronicle]
What would you pay for Jude Bellingham? ???? pic.twitter.com/FI2fMSArX9
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) September 17, 2022
Bellingham made his debut for Birmingham aged 16 years and 38 days, becoming the club’s youngest first-team player.
Although Premier League clubs were sniffing around when he left the Midlands, Bellingham chose Germany and Dortmund for their ability to develop young talent.
It has turned out to be a wise decision. At just 19 years old, Bellingham is now a full England international with 15 caps to his name. He is also expected to play a key role in the World Cup for Gareth Southgate’s team.
It is believed that Premier League clubs will need to pay a minimum of £100m to bring the prodigious talent back to England.
Erik Ten Hag would no doubt be interested in luring Bellingham to Old Trafford. His age, quality and temperament would surely make him a mainstay in United’s midfield for the next decade.
Christian Eriksen is currently filling the role for Bellingham and although he is playing exceptionally well, the Dane will turn 31 next summer and cannot be expected to carry United through a 60-game season.
With Casimero also on the wrong side of 30, Bellingham would provide energy and legs to United’s midfield, allowing more experienced bosses to focus on their jobs in other areas.
Although Bellingham has not publicly expressed a desire to move, he is widely expected to return to the Premier League in the near future, with Dortmund following their effective ‘buy low, sell high’ model.
If the move does end up materializing next summer, Ten Hag will surely be hoping that United will be at the front of the queue for one of the most exciting English talents of this generation.
