Chelsea might have to fend off one of their previous managers - as well as a hoard of others too - in order to secure a dream transfer for Jude Bellingham this summer.
The 19-year-old is expected to leave Borussia Dortmund in the next two windows with interest from Europe's top teams all making a large scale bidding war for the 19-year-old possible. Chelsea had explored the possibility of signing him this summer with Todd Boehly keen to start a midfield rebuild one-year early.
The American co-owner spent over £250m on new players in his first window but isn't planning to stop there with the groundwork being put in place for another big summer with Graham Potter now in charge and a long-term structure now in place.
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Bellingham was also targeted by Liverpool this summer but no official bid was put in for the England star who's price may well go over £124m if a transfer does happen.
Chelsea's efforts may well be in vain though with Real Madrid reportedly being the former Birmingham City player's preferred destination. Spanish publication Marca write that Carlo Ancelotti wants to add Bellingham to fellow midfield star Aurélien Tchouaméni, who joined the club this summer for £85m.
The Frenchman was another target for Chelsea but they chose to bring in Saul on loan for a season and wait for Tchouameni to develop at Monaco, they were made to pay the price when Madrid quickly sealed a deal whilst Chelsea stumbled, being unable to have early negotiations due to the club being a sanctioned asset of Roman Abramovich under the UK Government's actions in March.
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