{"id":621158,"date":"2023-01-20T04:35:56","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T09:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=621158"},"modified":"2023-01-20T04:35:56","modified_gmt":"2023-01-20T09:35:56","slug":"transfer-battle-for-jude-bellingham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2023\/01\/20\/transfer-battle-for-jude-bellingham\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Everybody Wants Him’: Transfer Battle for Young England Star"},"content":{"rendered":"

The race for this generational talent is going to be hotly contested \u2013 but where could the transfer battle for Jude Bellingham lead the young England star?<\/span><\/p>\n

‘Everybody Wants Him’: Transfer Battle for Jude Bellingham<\/h2>\n

Why Jude Bellingham Wears Number 22<\/h3>\n

Mike Dodds, Jude Bellingham\u2019s former youth coach at Birmingham City, said that the prodigy wears the number 22 because he is the combination of a four, eight and a ten \u2013 a box-to-box midfielder with boundless versatility, endless energy and limitless potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since then he has signed for Borussia Dortmund, and become one of the most coveted and electrifying footballers in the world; <\/span>Bellingham has netted nine goals in 22 appearances this season and enjoyed a blistering World Cup campaign that has catapulted him into the European limelight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dortmund have already prepared for his exit but expect an astronomical fee for the player out of contract in 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenburg<\/a>, the Germans are \u201calready planning for his summer exit in 2023.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He added<\/a>: \u201c<\/span>Dortmund are very happy with Jude Bellingham’s World Cup performance so far because he’s becoming even more valuable from the financial point of view.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Transfer Battle for Jude Bellingham: Where Could Bellingham Go?<\/h3>\n

Liverpool<\/b><\/h4>\n

The Reds were on the cusp of immortality last season when a potential quadruple was on the line, but now desperately languish in 9th position. <\/span>Part of the reason for this slump is Liverpool\u2019s ageing and underperforming midfield which is crying out for an overhaul and Bellingham would be the perfect remedy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Jacobs<\/a> labelled the Merseysiders as the \u201cfrontrunners\u201d for his signature. \u201cThey have already put in a lot of legwork,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bellingham has already developed a close bond with Jordan Henderson on and off the pitch during international duty \u2013 his marauding forward run and pass set up Liverpool\u2019s captain for a simple finish during England\u2019s World Cup victory over Senegal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The careers of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur Melo have been ravaged by injuries, whilst Fabinho and Henderson lack the athleticism to sustain Jurgen Klopp\u2019s relentless pressing style of play. <\/span>Liverpool require a consistent and robust midfielder to reinvigorate the club, and it appears they will try everything to bring Bellingham to Anfield.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chelsea\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n

In the new era of the Todd Boehly-Clearlake ownership<\/a>, Chelsea are enduring a torrid season as they have slumped to 10th in the league.\u00a0<\/span>Similarly to Liverpool, their midfield has been overrun and desperately needs a goalscorer or creator who provides a threat. <\/span>Since the summer of 2019, the Blues have only signed one central midfielder, the youthful Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa last summer – but he has failed to displace any of the senior members of the squad.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jorginho and N\u2019Golo Kante\u2019s contracts expire in the summer, and Matt Law<\/a> reported that Chelsea are reluctant to offer the Italian a new deal, but are more seriously considering the possibility of extending the Frenchman\u2019s time in West London. Nevertheless, the Blues will be losing at least one midfielder, which would create space for Bellingham.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chelsea are also one of the clubs linked to former academy starlet Declan Rice, but Bellingham is an equally attractive option.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read More: Fabrizio Romano Gives Cagey Update on \u2018Top\u2019 Chelsea Target Fans Won\u2019t Like<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Real Madrid<\/b><\/h4>\n

Los Blancos<\/span><\/i> stalwarts Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are both out of contract this summer \u2013 the loss of two club legends would need a revered and mouth-watering replacement, which could come in the form of Dortmund\u2019s starman.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Birmingham-born Bellingham could join the next wave of generational midfielders at the Santiago Bernab\u00e9u, which is already home to Aur\u00e9lien Tchouam\u00e9ni, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 14-time European champions are not afraid of spending in the midfield \u2013 they spent around \u00a388 million on Tchouam\u00e9ni last summer. <\/span>Bellingham would signify a modern-day <\/span>gal\u00e1ctico<\/span><\/i> signing, as club president Lucas Perez will still be seething over the Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 fiasco, and would undoubtedly be unfazed by the price tag.<\/span><\/p>\n

Manchester City\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n

The best attracts the best<\/span> \u2013 the Cityzens have won four of the last five Premier Leagues and will look to add increased firepower to a midfield that could possibly lose Ilkay Gundogan in the summer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jacobs<\/a> described City as \u201cLiverpool’s most serious rival for Bellingham currently.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, he revealed that Erling Haaland has already advised his former teammate to join him in Manchester. <\/span>The opportunity of joining up with Pep Guardiola and reuniting with the Norwegian marksman is a devilish prospect, and will certainly be on Bellingham\u2019s radar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Paris Saint-Germain<\/b><\/h4>\n

Another European juggernaut with immense spending power was always going to be interested in the next up-and-coming prodigy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Liverpool, Real Madrid and Man City are reportedly the most interested, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi disclosed to Sky Sports<\/a> that his side are also huge admirers of the Englishman. He said: \u201c<\/span>Everybody wants him<\/strong>, I’m not going to hide it. He’s at his club, and (we have) respect, so if we want to talk to him we’ll talk to the club first.”<\/p>\n

Although, Jacobs<\/a> has suggested that Bellingham \u201cisn\u2019t sold on a move to Ligue 1,\u201d it would be foolish to rule out a club that would be brazenly open to matching any Dortmund valuation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read More: Paris Saint-Germain Chief Confirms They Rejected Summer Move for 34-Goal Barcelona Star Once Dubbed as \u2018Better Than Neymar<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

An Open and Competitive Race<\/b><\/h4>\n

Dortmund\u2019s (and Birmingham City’s) youngest-ever goalscorer has earned himself a plethora of exciting and lucrative opportunities heading into a life-changing summer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

England, Spain and France will be fighting to showcase the unparalleled brilliance of Bellingham on a weekly basis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whoever lands his signature will have secured a player that will dominate Europe for years to come.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>