Jude Bellingham was always anticipated to be one of European football's most in-demand players next summer. His performances at the World Cup for England have only cemented that expectation – and enabled Borussia Dortmund to demand a far bigger fee for the midfielder.
At just 19 years old, Bellingham has the lot. Physicality, flawless technical ability, and a rare maturity. It's why the list of clubs in the race to sign the England international continues to grow. Liverpool are reportedly at front of the queue to sign Bellingham and have put in plenty of groundwork over the past year to lure the former Birmingham City youngster to Anfield.
Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are interested too and would have no issue matching the reported £130million asking price set by Dortmund. Neither would Manchester City, who have a good relationship with the Bundesliga side after taking Erling Haaland to the Etihad Stadium last summer.
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Chelsea are believed to be behind the leading pack in the pursuit of Bellingham. Yet with co-owner Todd Boehly – who is expected to continue acting as interim sporting director in January – a supposed admirer of the teenager's talents and also firmly focused on signing younger stars, there is the possibility for that to change.
Midfield is an area of the Chelsea squad that requires attention. N'Golo Kante and Jorginho, both now in their thirties, are out of contract next summer. And Mason Mount has yet to agree a new contract and will, as things stand, become a free agent in the summer of 2023.
Bellingham wouldn't be a cure-all solution to Chelsea's midfield problems; a defensive-minded number six should remain a priority for Boehly and the as-yet-completed recruitment team. Yet the England international would be a statement addition and a core piece of the long-term project that is being constructed at Stamford Bridge.
Improvement is required on Chelsea's part, especially given they currently sit eighth in the Premier League table. Bellingham is a player that should be competing in the Champions League every season. It becomes a much harder sell to relocate to west London without a seat at the top table of the European game guaranteed.
However, Chelsea have an ace in the hole in their attempt to sign Bellingham. A not-so-undercover agent: Reece James. The academy graduate has developed a close friendship with the midfielder, with one source telling football.london earlier this year that the duo are virtually inseparable during England meet-ups.
That was something touched upon by Bellingham last summer during Euro 2020. "I spend a lot of time with Reece," he told the FA's YouTube channel. "He looks after me. He's got a bit more experience in the squad than me. So it's good to stay with him. He looks after me and we get on really well."
Bellingham is very much his own man – he has proved that during the fledgling years of his career by opting to head to Dortmund to continue his development. Yet there will no doubt be a word in his ear from James if Chelsea are able to force their way to the front queue to secure his signature.
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