15 February 2023 , 07:43
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Chelsea are ready to move heaven and Earth to sign Jude Bellingham this summer - despite their £600million spending spree, it's been claimed.
Arguably European football's most-wanted player, 19-year-old Bellingham is set to be the subject of a major bidding war between a host of elite clubs when the summer transfer window opens - and Chelsea are keen to be among them. The Blues will get a first-hand look at the coveted English midfielder on Wednesday when they face his Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last-16.
Chelsea chief Todd Boehly has already sanctioned £600m worth of signings since taking co-controlling ownership last April, with RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku set to link up with under-fire manager Graham Potter at the end of the season. But according to the Telegraph, Boehly wants to make Bellingham his next marquee signing, regardless of Dortmund's rumoured £150m asking price.
The Blues recognise that they currently aren't favourites to win the race for the fully-fledged England international, especially if they miss out on Champions League qualification. Real Madrid, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City have all been linked with a big-money move for Bellingham, who's expected to leave Dortmund over the summer after three star-making seasons.
Chelsea will reportedly do everything within their power to give themselves the best chance of signing the teenage sensation, having allegedly been in touch with the player's advisors and representatives. Boehly and fellow co-owner Behdad Eghbali are said to have worked hard to establish contacts and relationships with Bellingham's entourage in an unlikely bid to earn his signature.
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Boehly and Eghbali were present at England's first game of the World Cup against Iran, as they watched Bellingham score his first international goal to cap an outstanding individual performance. It was during the tournament in Qatar when the Blues duo also saw Enzo Fernandez star for Argentina, prompting them to splash out £106m for his services in January, a deal which may well've inflated Dortmund's asking price for Bellingham.
Jude Bellingham is arguably European football's most-wanted player (Stefan Brauer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)The report adds that Chelsea are still mulling over moves for West Ham United captain Declan Rice, Bellingham's regular partner in midfield for England, and Brighton & Hove Albion hotshot Moises Caicedo. Bellingham tops the Blues' list, however, and they'll see him in action on Wednesday evening.
Dortmund boss Edin Terzic claims not to have spoken to the Birmingham City academy graduate about his future, insisting that "the sky is the limit" for Bellingham's career. "First of all he still has a long-term contract with us and I never spoke about that with him,” Terzic told the Telegraph.
Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are attempting to lay the groundwork for Jude Bellingham's arrival (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Have your say! Would Chelsea be the right move for Bellingham? Join the debate in the comment section.
"The only thing we talk about is improving his performance and to try to push him to find his limits. The rest - there will always be rumours especially if you are a young, talented English player not playing in England.
"The only thing that we don't know yet is his limit. He can achieve everything if he stays hungry; if he stays fit. He's physically very strong. He's mentally very strong. He is ready to score. There have been many central midfielders in England in the last 20 years who have been outstanding and he can step into this role. I think he's the oldest 19-year-old player I have ever met … the sky is the limit."