Jude Bellingham is going to be at the heart of one of the transfer sagas of 2023 (Picture: Getty Images)
The Borussia Dortmund hierarchy intend to have talks with Jude Bellingham over his future immediately after the World Cup this winter, acknowledging that there is huge interest in the midfielder.
A string of huge clubs have been linked with a move for the 19-year-old, who has established himself as a regular for both Dortmund and England, and is set to star in Qatar this winter.
Premier League giants Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City have all been mooted as possible destinations, while Real Madrid are also very keen on the teenager.
There is almost certainly going to be an almighty scrap for Bellingham’s signature next summer, especially if he has a good World Cup with England, and Dortmund are well aware.
The club’s CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke, intends to sit down with the Englishman when he is back from Qatar and learn his intentions, so they can prepare for a future with or without him.
‘I think as soon as Qatar is over, we’re going to have a basic conversation about what he actually wants. With him, with his parents, with whom we have a very close relationship and of course with his advisor,’ Watzke told Bild-TV.
‘And then he should just tell us whether he wants to stay or whether he wants to go. Either way, we’ll discuss it pleasantly and reasonably.
‘But we don’t have to pretend that the topic isn’t on the table. When the really big ones are there, we can’t afford to fight financially either. Jude is a wonderful boy who also has his fluctuations – we’ve seen that now but he is certainly one of the greatest talents in European football.’
Having sold Jadon Sancho to Manchester United in 2021 and then Erling Haaland to Manchester City last summer, Dortmund are not against letting their top talents go for big money.
Bellingham is expected to be the next to go, but interested parties will have to pay around the £100m mark for one of the brightest young talents on the planet.
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There is A LOT of interest in the midfielder.
