Chelsea and Liverpool target slapped with £130 million price tag

Jude Bellingham looks increasingly likely to be at the centre of next summer’s biggest transfer saga, with teams continuing to be added to the rumoured list of interested parties. 

The England international has been in sensational form for Borussia Dortmund over the past 12 months, and the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are all said to hold an interest in the midfielder.

Despite their interest, it could prove tricky for Premier League sides to lure Bellingham back to his homeland, reports suggest.

The first obstacle for English sides looking to land the 19-year-old could be the player’s own preference, with Spanish outlet Fichajes claiming that Bellingham’s preference next year will be to join Real Madrid.

Additionally, it is claimed by The Athletic that Bellingham’s current side Dortmund value him at as much as £130 million.

If any of the trio of clubs interested were to pay that amount, it would make Bellingham the most expensive British player in history, surpassing the £100 million that Manchester City forked out for Jack Grealish last summer.

Bellingham is currently training with England ahead of their Nations League games against Italy and Germany

During the recent window, it was claimed by several reports including Teamtalk, that Liverpool registered an interest in the player during their search for midfield reinforcements.

Dortmund though, having already sold Erling Haaland to City, were unwilling to let two of their best and most important players leave during the same window.

The Reds ultimately ended up signing Arthur Melo on loan from Juventus, but the report suggests that they will renew their interest in the Englishman at the next available opportunity.

Chelsea, meanwhile, will be in the market for a midfielder with both Jorginho and N’Golo Kante set to be out of contract in 12 months.

Mateo Kovacic, The Blues’ other senior central midfielder, has a relatively poor injury record too, and Graham Potter will be keen to add to his options before his first full season in charge of the club.

Bellingham joined the Bundesliga side from Championship club Birmingham City in 2020 for a fee of £20.5 million, and the teenager has since established himself as a regular starter in Germany,

The midfielder made 90 appearances during his first two seasons in Germany, and has made ten across all competitions so far this term.

He started during Dortmund’s Champions League tie with Manchester City last week, scoring their opener, and had also netted in their 3-0 win over Copenhagen the week before.

Bellingham also made his England debut in November 2020 and now has 15 caps to his name.