Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder Jude Bellingham is reportedly a long-term transfer target for Premier League giants Chelsea.
According to a report from Goal, reigning champions of Europe, Chelsea have a long-standing interest in Borussia Dortmund prodigy Jude Bellingham and the Blues hope to build a strong relationship with the German outfit in order to pull off a deal for the teenager somewhere down the line.
Bellingham burst onto the scenes at EFL Championship club Birmingham City during the 2019/20 campaign. Despite being just 16 at the time, the central midfielder quickly became an integral part of the first-team, leading to admiring glances from several top clubs across Europe. However, the young English ace opted to choose Borussia Dortmund, rebuffing other suitors that also included Manchester United.
Having made the switch to Bundesliga, Bellingham was not shunted off to the reserves. But, instead, the 17-year-old has drafted into the senior team at Dortmund and the youngster has thrived endlessly. Indeed, in his debut season with the Black and Yellows, the midfielder managed a total of 46 games across all competitions, scoring and assisting four goals apiece, on the back of which, he has become a regular in the England squad as well.
Some of his performances on the biggest stages, like the UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash against Manchester City, made a huge mark, further ramping up interest in his services, with Chelsea emerging as one of his most ardent suitors.
Chelsea, at the moment, have a packed midfield department with N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Billy Gilmour while the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher may also work their way into the first-team after having spent the last season on loan.
But considering the potential and the talent that Bellingham possesses, a move for a generational talent like him will always appeal for a club of Chelsea’s stature. Moreover, the west London giants do not intend to make a push to sign the Dortmund star in the ongoing transfer window itself. Instead, he is in the club’s long-term plans for the future, by which time the likes of Kante and Jorginho would be well into their thirties.
Chelsea are currently focusing their attention on another Dortmund player, Erling Haaland. In fact, reports have indicated that the Blues have already launched an offer for the Norwegian international. And they are hoping to cultivate a strong working relationship with the German outfit during the negotiations for the 20-year-old striker, which could help them sign Bellingham in the future.
So, as things stand, Chelsea are not expected to make a play for the signing of Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund this summer. But they will continue to closely monitor the England international’s development at Signal Iduna park.