Chelsea are throwing their hat in the ring for the much sought after Jude Bellingham, who is set to be at the centre of next summer's biggest transfer battle.
The Borussia Dortmund star has continued to thrive in Germany having originally burst onto the scene in England's second tier with Birmingham City. Bellingham is a hugely influence for the Bundesliga outfit, already proving his quality on the European stage in the Champions League.
That has attracted English attention with Manchester United, who competed with Dortmund for his signature in 2020, and Liverpool, who are thought to be the favourites, known admirers. Real Madrid too are keeping tabs on his situation while Chelsea are now ready to challenge the trio, reports The Sun.
Dortmund made it clear they weren't selling this summer having already lost Erling Haaland, but Bellingham's continued growth means he will cost at least £100m as three of the Premier League's elite clubs look to do battle.
Todd Boehly has just presided over a record breaking transfer window that saw over £200m spent and has now hired a new coach in Graham Potter, who will want a summer to bring in his own players once the chance comes around.
Bellingham has often quashed talk of his future, saying recently: "The club have done loads for me and made me feel very welcome since I first came and gave me the opportunities to develop even further. To look past that and into the future would be disrespectful."
The teenager's value could also further skyrocket if he does have an impressive World Cup this winter with Gareth Southgate almost certain to select the midfielder.
And Chelsea's midfield could also be in need of a reshuffle come the summer.
N'Golo Kante is now north of 30 and still in talks with the club over a contract extension, although they have stalled in recent months amid his fitness issues. Jorginho himself is 30 and Mateo Kovacic is in his late 20s. Those age profiles were no doubt a motivator as Chelsea added the highly-rated Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa this summer.
Bellingham could further help them bring down the average age of their squad, albeit they will have plenty of competition for his services. But Liverpool too need to address their options in the middle of the park and are primed to make a move in less than 12 months time, with Bellingham the club's No.1 target to refresh their midfield, having missed out on Aurelien Tchouameni, to Real Madrid, this summer.
United meanwhile missed out on Frenkie de Jong during the summer window. And as boss Erik ten Hag continues to shape his squad, he could look for another midfielder if he deems either Fred or Scott McTominay surplus to requirements.
European kings Madrid are the outlier in the situation as they continue to redevelop their squad for the future. With Luka Modric and Toni Kroos now into the twilight of their respective careers, they've already snapped up the aformentioned Tcouhameni and Eduardo Camavinga to be midfield mainstays for the next decade. But a move for Bellingham has already been mooted at the Bernabeu too.
