Jude Bellingham

Newcastle have become the latest club to join the race to land Jude Bellingham in the summer, according to reports from Germany.

The England midfielder has been the subject of heavy interest from a number of Europe’s top clubs, with Liverpool, Real Madrid and both Manchester United and City thought to be amongst the front-runners for his signature.

But Newcastle have now emerged as another potential destination for the 19-year-old, following their rise to the Champions League places in the Premier League, as per reports from German outlet BILD.

The Magpies have spent shrewdly since the Public Investment Fund takeover was completed in October 2021, but Bellingham would likely demand a huge transfer fee for Dortmund to part with their star.

It marks another statement of intent in what has been and incredible turnaround under Eddie Howe at Newcastle, after having looked destined for relegation in the first half of the 2021-22 season.

If Bellingham was to leave this summer, Dortmund would likely want a fee of around £130million to part with the player before the end of his contract.

Bellingham is under contract at the Bundesliga outfit until 2025, although the club are hopeful of convincing to extend his stay until at least 2026.

Newcastle made several offers to Leicester to try to land James Maddison last summer, with the Foxes rejecting a bid of £60m to keep hold of their talisman, as Howe’s side look to rebuild their midfield.

The club parted ways with Jonjo Shelvey in January – who followed Chris Wood to Nottingham Forest – and Bellingham would bring energy and drive to a midfield that sets out to play at a high intensity.

The key will be whether they can secure Champions League football next season, although they are not believed to be among the leading contenders to land the 19-year-old.

But while Newcastle are entering the race for the 19-year-old, the German publication have claimed that Chelsea are now out of the running.

BILD claims that the lavish spending of new owner Todd Boehly – which amounted to over £323m in January alone – has seen the Blues fall out of contention for Bellingham.

French giants PSG are also thought to be out of inconsideration by the player’s family and representatives.

Bellingham is one of the most highly sought-after players in the world, but his future is something that his representatives have worked to keep away from the media throughout his meteoric rise, and is still unclear.

Liverpool’s pursuit of the star could also hinge on their continued participation in Europe’s top club competition next term, with Jurgen Klopp’s side looking unlikely to finish in the top four.

They had seemed likely contenders for the English midfielder, who has been on their radar for some time with Klopp also looking to rejuvenate a midfield that has looked off the pace at times this season.

The Reds have also been monitoring Matheus Nunes’ situation at Wolves in preparation for a suspected summer swoop.

Bellingham had been expected to leave the German side this summer for one of Europe’s biggest clubs, but Dortmund are believed to be preparing a club record deal to retain his services.

Bild reports the German side are preparing a last-ditch offer worth £13.25m-a-year – that would see Bellingham become the highest-paid player in the club’s history – in a desperate bid to keep him.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here