Chelsea are believed to be in the market for a new midfielder in the summer despite the club-record signing of Enzo Fernandez in January.
One player that has been tipped to join the club in the future is England midfielder Jude Bellingham. The Borussia Dortmund star has a long list of suitors after impressing in Germany, with a bid of at least £100million enough to sign the box-to-box.
However, Liverpool and Real Madrid have long been credited with interest for the former Birmingham City man, with Bellingham's antics at the Qatar World Cup adding more value to his price tag.
READ MORE: Jude Bellingham offers Steven Gerrard perfect answer to Chelsea and Liverpool transfer advice
So, with that being said, football.london have taken a look at the latest reports as Europe's biggest clubs plot moves for Bellingham in the summer.
Real Madrid meeting
Ahead of Borussia Dortmund's Champions League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Jude Bellingham's father reportedly had a meeting with Real Madrid chief director Juni Calafat in London. Bellingham’s father, Mark, manages his son’s career, while Los Blancos chief scout Calafat is said to already be “taking care of relations".
Despite a growing feeling from the Spanish giants that the Premier League financial muscle will be too much to contend with, Foot Mercato say: “According to our information, a meeting is indeed underway between the father of the England international and Juni Calafat, director of international football for Real Madrid, and responsible for recruiting young players on a global scale.”
The French publication added Madrid “will present its project for the playmaker” in the meeting held at "the Chelsea Harbor hotel in London”. Bellingham has been identified by the Spanish side as the solution to their issue of potentially losing midfield veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric at the end of the season.
Arsenal price limit
According to The Athletic Arsenal aren't prepared to meet the £150m valuation of Bellingham. The Gunners are also pursuing other options including Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo and both stars will be cheaper than Bellingham.
Liverpool blow
Rio Ferdinand was critical of Liverpool's Bellingham tactics and decisions, saying, “I think Jude Bellingham’s intelligent enough not to look at one game in isolation, he’ll be looking at the bigger picture. What do the next 12 months look like at Liverpool? What kind of impact can I have at Liverpool?
“I think if we said a year ago, or six months ago, I don’t think Jude Bellingham even question Liverpool’s trajectory or where they’re going, because they were in a different place."
Speaking after the 5-2 defeat against Real Madrid, he continued, "At the moment, I don’t think Liverpool are going to be on his radar and that will be very disappointing for Liverpool fans. I think the club's in transition at the moment, the club's in the process of being sold or [are] up for sale, or whatever that looks like.
"The more important thing is that the team doesn’t seem to be functioning in the right way, and there’s a transition in terms of players in the team. There’s some old players there that are going to need to be shifted and moved on, and some young players brought in.
“Does he come into that? Or does he go into a team that looks like they’re going to win right now? Real Madrid have to be top of the list at the moment.”
Director stance
Dortmund's sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, delivered the latest update on his future, admitting the hope to keep the player. "Jude feels very, very well at Borussia Dortmund. But there are no new talks, let alone requests for him," he told BILD.
"We need Jude to achieve our goals this season and we’re glad he’s focused so much on football and has no other issues on his mind at the moment.
"Jude still has two years of contract and is a very important part of this team. That’s why I naturally wish that he would play for BVB longer."
Man City complication
Pep Guardiola's men have been linked with Bellingham as they desperately search for younger legs in the middle of the park. However, following news that Man City have been charged by the Premier League for over 100 alleged breaches of financial fair play rules, they may struggle to lure Bellingham to Manchester.
According to the Telegraph, the charges make any move for Bellingham complicated. It's said that rivals wanting Bellingham will view City's issues as 'an opportunity' to take control in the race for Bellingham.
Manchester City say they are "surprised" by the Premier League's claims.
Contract rejected
The Daily Star write that Bellingham has rejected the latest offer from Dortmund, who are desperately trying to keep their star. The German side are resigned to losing him over the summer though after he turned down £180,000 per week - double his current wages.
Talks with Liverpool
According to Sky Sports, the England international's father is in contact with Liverpool. The report states that Jurgen Klopp is eager to wrap up a deal, with Borussia Dortmund said to not stand in his way should he push for an exit.
January timeline
Bellingham's January timeline has been revealed by Bundesliga expert Jan Aage Fjortoft ahead of a month not expected to yield any tangible changes to his situation.
With a summer deal much more likely Bellingham has now returned to Dortmund ahead of a mid-season training camp in Marbella. The Bundesliga is on its winter break, meaning there is no competitive action for for the teenager until January 22.
Real Madrid January plan
Despite Carlo Ancelotti saying that Madrid won't be making any deals in January ESPN report that Los Blancos see the window as a chance to speed up proceedings ahead of a move in the summer.
It is said that they could table a €100million (£88.6million) bid in order to buy him. Although he is seen as a major target, there is no intention to make 'crazy' offers.
Real Madrid make Bellingham priority amid Liverpool snub
Real Madrid will prioritise a deal for Jude Bellingham in 2023, with the midfielder set to choose Los Blancos over Liverpool, according to GOAL. Bellingham has always been top of Madrid's list, regardless of their interest in the Benfica midfielder.
The plan would see Bellingham line up alongside the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde, creating a world-class midfield for the next decade to match the heights of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
Secret £60m clause
Jude Bellingham could be on the move for just £60million if the sensational reported secret release clause is genuine, and that would be bad news for Chelsea in their hopes of signing the midfielder.
Dortmund want at least £100m - possibly even more - for the England ace. However, according to the Daily Mail, Bellingham's Dortmund contract allegedly has a shock £60m release clause included.
That would make the Three Lions World Cup ace totally affordable for the clubs interested, but Chelsea could lose out as a result. Should Chelsea trigger that apparent release clause, it may still not be enough to convince the youngster to head to Stamford Bridge.
Klopp stance
Jurgen Klopp has laughed off the chances of Liverpool signing Bellingham in January. The Reds are also after the 19-year-old as they attempt to deal with midfield issues of their own, but the German manager isn't expecting much to happen over the winter.
He has a good relationship with Dortmund having managed them in a successful run before moving to Anfield, but Klopp admitted deals of the size of Bellingham aren't easily done.
He said: "[Laughs] In January?, I'm the wrong person. Are you from the buying side or the selling side? I'm the wrong person to ask that, you'll have to ask other people about that."
Guardiola claim
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Bellingham earlier this season when his side faced Dortmund in the Champions League. The Spaniard told reporters: "Borussia Dortmund is the perfect place for young talent to come.
"Maybe if Jude Bellingham was in England he would go to City, United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham, maybe he would not get the minutes. The best thing for a young player to be better is to play minutes. He was 17 when he arrived but it was not just about his quality, how he was leading, his kicking, going to the referee.
"This guy was something special in terms of his mentality. Now he is 19 and he is already one of the captains. The quality, everybody knows it. The whole package is really good."
Price tag
Borussia Dortmund are said to have set a price tag of £150million for Bellingham's signature in the transfer window, however that could be reduced further. That's because the Sun report that the German club are willing to accept as low as £83million if they receive the transfer funds in one up front payment.
Chelsea interest
Jude Bellingham is Chelsea's top target for the coming transfer windows, according to a report from the Evening Standard. The Blues aren't the only interested party though as Premier League rivals Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Spanish giants Real Madrid are said to be monitoring a move.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal FA investigation verdict, Reiss Nelson future, Trossard injury, Sporting CP changes
Trossard, Jesus, Nketiah: Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Sporting CP clash
Gabriel Jesus posts social media message amid Arsenal injury return hint and Europa League plan
Ten Chelsea players who will be missing from squad to face Borussia Dortmund in Champions League
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
