Joe Cole has said that Premier League fans should be hoping that Jude Bellingham returns home to join an English club over the summer. The former Birmingham City player is a top target for a host of Europe's top clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Real Madrid.
After a stellar World Cup for the Three Lions, his stature has risen once more in the game and Borussia Dortmund may have to weather bids of over £100m in 2023. Chelsea are keen to make him their statement signing in the new year with a midfield overhaul on the cards at Stamford Bridge.
This won't be easy though, with so much competition for his signature and the lure of Champions League holders Real Madrid. It won't stop Todd Boehly from going all-out to make the deal a reality though, with 21-year-old Enzo Fernandez being heavily pursued despite his massive £105m release clause.
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When it comes to his next destination, Cole just wants to see him return back to England having left St Andrew's in 2020.
"I don’t know anything but I think he’ll have the pick of world football, he can go where he wants: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, anywhere that can afford him will want him because he’s that good.
"For me, we’re going to be blessed to see his best years, he’ll want to come back, if I’m him I’m looking at Man City. Imagine him slipping in a team with Erling Haaland, it’ll be incredible to watch."
Jermaine Jenas can see him in the famous white shirt of Real Madrid though, adding: "Will he not go to Madrid?" before Cole explained his thinking.
"Madrid is always Madrid, they’ve won five out of the last 13 Champions League, as good as they are they can’t keep doing that. The lure of coming home will be too much for Jude, we should be chomping at the bit to see it every week, a bit like Haaland, he’s one of the best."
Jenas still can't see it happening though, explaining what his personal preference would be. "I just think if you’re him you're going to Real Madrid or Barcelona. I’m going to Real Madrid, as clubs go, it’s the elite club in club football so everything you want is going to be there and you’re a part of a dynasty that has been there for many years in Europe.
"You can put your marker down there and they’re building a hell of a machine down there, that midfield with Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde, I want to be apart of that as a young player, they’re going to be about for years."
Manager Carlo Ancelloti has already ruled Los Blancos out of any January moves but that won't stop them from doing the background work for a deal regardless.
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