Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

PSG chief responds to Jude Bellingham transfer interest - "What a player"

Paris Saint-Germain chief executive Nasser Al-Khelaifi has confirmed the Ligue 1 champions are interested in signing Jude Bellingham.

The England international, 19, has established himself as one of the best young midfielders in Europe since leaving Championship side Birmingham City for Borussia Dortmund in July 2020. He is currently aiming to win the World Cup in Qatar with the Three Lions.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid have all been linked with Bellingham in recent months and PSG will join them in the transfer race. Al-Khelaifi believes "everyone wants to sign" the teenager, who has two-and-a-half years remaining on his existing deal.

"What a player," Al-Khelaifi told Sky News when asked about Bellingham. "Honestly, England are lucky to have him... and he's one of the best players in the tournament. Amazing and you see his first World Cup - calm and relaxed and confident."

Al-Khelaifi added: "Everyone wants him. I'm not going to hide it. But I respect he's in his club and, respect if we want to talk to him, we talk to the club first."

Bellingham raised eyebrows when he left Birmingham City for Dortmund two-and-a-half years ago, yet few critics are questioning that decision now. The talent has played 112 games for Dortmund - including some in the Champions League - and won the DFB-Pokal.

Jude Bellingham has impressed at the World Cup (Getty Images)

Do you think Jude Bellingham will join Paris Saint-Germain? Let us know in the comments below!

Bellingham played a supporting role when England reached the final of Euro 2020 but is now one of Gareth Southgate's main players. He's started all four of England's World Cup games so far and scored in the 6-2 win against Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The teenager's stock has risen thanks to his performances in Qatar. "It's very rare you see a midfield player as comfortable in his own half as in the attacking half," Neville told ITV. "He looks like he can do absolutely everything. Is he a holding player, an attacking player?

"He's everything in one. Physically he's fantastic, so young but it's the composure, maturity and fearlessness I can't get my head around. I watched players play for England for many years, the weight of the shirt was enormous. He just doesn't feel it at all, he looks like he belongs out there, like he wants it and needs it in his life."

Roy Keane added: "Everything he does in the game. We talk about what goes on in his brain. He's got that maturity, his decision-making, what's going on upstairs - it's huge for a midfielder. End product, final pass, the kid has everything."

There's no doubt PSG can afford to sign Bellingham. They are owned by Qatar Sports Investments, a subsidiary of Qatar's sovereign-wealth fund. PSG's huge financial resources have allowed them to sign the likes of Kylian Mabppe, Neymar and Lionel Messi.

The big question is whether Bellingham wants to leave Dortmund next summer. "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," he said in September. "To look past that and into the future would be disrespectful. It's not something I am thinking about."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.