There are very few footballers at the moment in higher demand than Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, who is rumoured to be fetching £135m plus add-ons when the summer transfer window opens later this year.
But with so many clubs flagging their interest in the 19-year-old England midfielder, there’s a lot for the emerging superstar to weigh up and it’s hard to tell which clubs are best positioned to land the prized signature.
Bellingham is in high demand after an impressive few years at Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, where he signed in 2020.
So let’s assess his best options so we all make more informed speculation when it comes up in conversation.
Jude Bellingham to Liverpool
According to the most recent Jude Bellingham transfer news, Liverpool will not pursue the 19-year-old midfielder due to financial constraints and will, instead, dedicate the budget to a broader midfield strategy.
The news comes as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita’s contracts are all due to lapse this summer; meaning the club will need to make multiple signings to fill gaps in the team.
The club’s withdrawal comes after his England teammate Jordan Henderson and former LFC great Steven Gerrard both reportedly tried to convince Bellingham to head to Anfield Road.
Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid
According to the Daily Telegraph, Real Madrid will pay up to €150 million for Bellingham, with potential add-ons that may include having to win the UEFA Champions League and perhaps even a Ballon d’Or at the club.
Recent reports suggest that the club is close to securing a deal for Bellingham — and have almost agreed on the personal terms with Bellingham, meaning that all is left to do is make sure Dortmund is happy.
Bellingham will likely become part of a long-term plan for the club after the retirement of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
Jude Bellingham to Chelsea
It’s shocking that Chelsea would even have the funds left to bid for Bellingham, after their huge efforts in the last transfer window. But regardless of funds, it is looking increasingly unlikely that Bellingham will head to Stamford Bridge in the summer – and for good reason.
The club has been in shambles this season, and currently sit in the bottom half of the table; now onto their third manager for the year, Frank Lampard. Graham Potter was the latest casualty.
And with no hope of making the Champion’s League, Chelsea realistically don’t stand a chance of landing perhaps the most in-demand midfielder in the world right now.
Additionally, it has been reported that Bellingham doesn’t actually want to play for Chelsea — which is the biggest factor at play, obviously.
Jude Bellingham to Manchester City
With Liverpool and Chelsea out of the race, Manchester City is the favourite for Bellingham — at least if he wants to be in the Premier League.
Considering City have already signed Dortmund players Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji, the relationship between the two clubs is favourable. The handling of Haaland’s contract, in particular, will benefit City’s hopes of securing Bellingham after Erling’s deal was announced well before the transfer window even opened.
However, it has been reported that Bellingham considers City to be a soulless and unattractive club and, as such, has ruled out a move. Although, it must be stressed that this is based on rumours.
Jude Bellingham to Manchester United
The chances of Bellingham going to Old Trafford hinge almost exclusively on a potential new owner. It isn’t out of the question just yet, but it is not the most likely option — heck, it’s not even the most likely option in Manchester!
If more comes of this, you’ll read about it here, but don’t hold your breath!
Jude Bellingham to stay at Borussia Dortmund
There is so much interest in Bellingham but the other obvious option here is that he stays in Germany for one more season at Dortmund before making what will undoubtedly be one of the biggest decisions of his career.
While it may be tempting to leave the Bundesliga for one of the flashiest clubs in the world, there is a reason that Dortmund keeps producing the likes of Bellingham and Haaland — they’re clearly doing something right for player development.
Particularly with both Chelsea and Liverpool having such questionable seasons this year and, seemingly, being out of the race for the 19-year-old, he may hold out for one more season in Germany to make his decision after another season passes.
