KEY POINTS

  • Jude Bellingham is contracted with Dortmund until 2026
  • Dortmund recently lost Erling Haaland to Man City
  • Bellingham is expected to demand high wages

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.

The Blues have joined Real Madrid and Liverpool FC in the race to sign the 18-year-old Bellingham, according to Spanish outlet Diario AS. However, International Business Times, could not verify it independently.

Bellingham is contracted with Dortmund until 2026. It is understood that the German club is not willing to part ways with the young Englishman after already losing Erling Haaland to Manchester City this summer. Bellingham scored six goals and provided 14 assists in 43 competitive games for Dortmund last term.

Real Madrid have already signed multiple young midfielders in Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in recent years, which means bringing in Bellingham will not make much sense for the European champions. Meanwhile, it is not the case for Liverpool and Chelsea as both clubs are in need of long-term replacements for some of their established midfielders.

Liverpool's key midfielders Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson and James Milner are all now into their thirties. Chelsea are in a similar position with Jorginho and N'Golo Kante, so it wouldn't be surprising to see these two Premier League rivals battle out to secure the signature of Bellingham next summer.

Bellingham's asking price is around $123 million at the moment. It could potentially increase if he were to perform well for England at the FIFA World Cup and Liverpool are very much aware of it, Goal.com reported. The multi-nation tournament is set to take place in Qatar later this year.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham (C) shone for Dortmund in their win at Besiktas
England midfielder Jude Bellingham (C) shone for Dortmund in their win at Besiktas AFP / OZAN KOSE

Jurgen Klopp's Reds are already considering a move for RB Salzburg midfielder Luka Sucic as they plan alternative targets to Bellingham. The 19-year-old Croatia national is already a regular for Salzburg, and he managed eight league goals from midfield last season.

Apart from his high transfer fee, Bellingham's wage demands would place him among the highest earners at Liverpool, a club that carefully manages its wage structure. For the same reason, the Anfield side is struggling to reach a new agreement with Mohamed Salah, one of the best players in the club's history.

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