Which clubs could sign Bellingham, how much will he cost?
A report in the German media says four European clubs are in the running to sign Borussia Dortmund’s highly-rated England midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The German newspaper Sport Bild says Borussia Dortmund expect to bank a fee of at least €150 million from the sale of Jude Bellingham at the end of the season. There are, of course, not many clubs on the European scene that can dig so deep for the sought-after England midfielder.
Liverpool face struggle to foot Bellingham bill
According to Sport Bild, there are a total of four suitors that Bellingham would be keen to join. They are Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
The Reds would have serious difficulties in meeting Dortmund’s asking price. The remaining three, in addition to being clubs where Bellingham feels he could take the next step in his young career, would have the financial muscle to do a deal for the 19-year-old. All have established contact with the player’s camp, and it will be down to him to decide on his next destination.
Dortmund are in a strong bargaining position. Bellingham is under contract until 2025 and doesn’t have a release clause, so if the player rejects the Germans’ offer of a new deal - one that would earn him €15m a year - he would net the club a huge profit on the €25m they paid to sign him from Birmingham City in 2020.
Madrid pursuit dependent on Modric, Kroos futures
Madrid won’t be a viable option for Bellingham if they hand extensions to veteran midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. The Dortmund player will make his decision after the World Cup, at a point in time which is also likely to be key to determining the two Bernabéu legends’ futures.
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Guardiola lauds Bellingham’s “special mentality”
City head coach Pep Guardiola, who is aware that Bellingham would be the perfect replacement for Ilkay Gündogan in the Premier League champions’ midfield, is eager to lure the teenager to the Etihad Stadium.
“It’s not just about his quality, he has a special mentality,” Guardiola said after City drew with Dortmund last week. “He is already one of the captains of the team; to happen at 19 is quite impressive.” In Manchester, Bellingham would be reunited with striker Erling Haaland, who left BVB last summer.