Ian Wright has reassured potential suitors that Jude Bellingham's captaincy at Borussia Dortmund isn't a hands-off deterrent. The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League since he first made a name for himself at Birmingham City.
Bellingham has been subject to long-term interest from Chelsea, football.london understand. The west Londoners watched the England international during his time as an academy player, but after failing to act on their interest, Borussia Dortmund swooped in and signed the teenage sensation instead.
He's quickly become an integral fixture in the German side since arriving at the Signal Iduna Park two years ago - so much so that he's recently been given the responsibility of wearing the captain's armband. And while that could send a 'hands-off' message to clubs like Chelsea, who are said to be looking to sign him in the summer, it is, in fact, the opposite, according to the former Arsenal striker.
Speaking on the 'Wrighty's House' podcast, the 58-year-old said: "When you look at the future, Jude Bellingham is captain of Dortmund now, which is an unbelievable message they're sending out. I don't look at it like a 'hands off' because it's almost like, 'wow, this guy's 19, and he's our captain'.
"This is what he's capable of, this isn't a 'hands off our man', this is a, 'look at our man'. Jude Bellingham, for England, has to start at the World Cup.
"So, if he has a good World Cup, we're talking about £150million straight off the bat, and he's got no buyout clause," he added. "What we've seen, he's got into the England squad at 17, he's captain of Dortmund at 19.
"He's going to go to one of the big clubs. He will be a major star playing for one of the big teams barring an injury."
According to The Athletic, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Real Madrid are all interested in Bellingham. The report adds that Dortmund want to hold onto the teenage star, who has been valued at €150million (£131million). It's said that Bellingham does not have a release clause in his deal which can be activated.
The Telegraph have since added that the Blues are looking to jump the queue, with Madrid and Liverpool said to be spearheading the pursuit. The report adds that interest in Declan Rice from Stamford Bridge remains.
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