Chelsea are reportedly plotting a move to sign England international midfielder Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund next year.
According to Eurosport’s Dean Jones, as relayed by The Sun, Chelsea will explore the possibility of signing Jude Bellingham from German bigwigs Borussia Dortmund in the new year.
A product of the Birmingham City youth setup, Bellingham burst into the first-team at the English Championship outfit in 2019, at the age of just 16 and made such an impression that a number of top clubs across Europe were queuing up to sign him in the summer last year.
Indeed, there had been interest from the likes of Manchester United, as well as Chelsea, but ultimately Bellingham decided to join Dortmund and has thrived in Germany. The 18-year-old was a regular fixture in the side for the Black and Yellows, despite his age, and went on to rack up 46 appearances, scoring an assisting four goals apiece from midfield.
Bellingham broke into the England national team on the back of his performances and was even part of the Three Lions squad for the UEFA Euro 2020. He has started the new season in a similar vein of form, already bagging a goal and three assists in just five games across all competitions.
Bellingham’s continued rise to prominence has seen Chelsea maintain their interest in him. Now, Dean Jones has claimed that the Blues could make an attempt to sign the 18-year-old former Birmingham City ace as early as January next year. “Jude Bellingham’s been on Chelsea’s radar for the past year or so. And I think that situation is one they’ll start to explore further in the new year,” he said.
Chelsea, as things stand, have a solid midfield unit, bolstered by the deadline day arrival of Saul Niguez. The Atletico Madrid ace has joined on a season-long loan deal with an option of making the transfer permanent. Apart from him manager Thomas Tuchel also has N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho at his disposal.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley also remain as options having failed to secure a move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer. Beyond these, Tuchel will also welcome back loanees Billy Gilmour, Conor Gallagher, among others, into this roster next season. So, while there seem to be enough choices for the Blues, adding a generational talent like Bellingham is a no-brainer.
With Kante getting older and fighting fitness issues and Jorginho’s agent again hinting at a return to Italy, there could be space made in the squad for the 18-year-old Dortmund prodigy. A move, however, will be anything but easy for Chelsea as Dortmund see Bellingham as a key part of the team and handed him a new contract this past June.
