Transfer Centre

Jude Bellingham to decide future during international break?

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 15 March 2023

Jude Bellingham will reportedly hold a meeting with Borussia Dortmund to discuss his future during the international break later this month.

The 19-year-old England international is set to become one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe when the transfer window opens this summer.

Bellingham has developed into a star player since joining Dortmund from boyhood club Birmingham City in 2020, scoring 20 goals and registering 24 assists in 123 appearances across all competitions.

Premier League quartet Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are all said to be interested in his services, with the former allegedly growing increasingly confident about winning the race for his signature.

However, Spanish giants Real Madrid are hopeful of luring Bellingham to the Santiago Bernabeu, and are understood to have made first contact with the midfielder's family and representatives to discuss a summer transfer.

Jude Bellingham in action for Borussia Dortmund on August 6, 2022 © Reuters

Dortmund remain in a strong position to keep hold of Bellingham, who is valued at €150m (£133.1m) by the Bundesliga club and is under contract at Westfalenstadion until June 2025.

BVB are keen to tie Bellingham down to a new long-term contract, but it is thought that the teenager is ready to seek pastures new after nearly three seasons in Germany.

According to Bild, via OneFootball, Bellingham and his representatives are set to hold a meeting with Dortmund chiefs during the international break to discuss his future at the club.

The report adds that Bellingham will reveal whether he wishes to leave this summer or stay for at least another season, and Dortmund feel at present that they have a 50-50 chance of keeping hold of their star man.

Should Bellingham agree to remain at Dortmund and sign a new contract, the midfielder will likely see his €6m (£5.2m) annual salary significantly increase.

Jude Bellingham in action for England on December 4, 2022 © Reuters

Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl remains hopeful that Bellingham can stick around for at least another season, but he has admitted that it could be "wishful thinking."

Speaking to Ruhr Nachrichten about Bellingham's future, Kehl said: "Of course we're trying to keep Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund as long as possible. He's an incredibly important player who has shown once again this season how he identifies with this club and makes the team better.

"Things develop due to market mechanisms. So of course, I have my thoughts and also have my wishful thinking. I can't say whether [Bellingham staying] will happen in the end. From Borussia Dortmund's point of view, the wishful thinking would be to keep a player of this quality at this club for as long as possible.

"We will always try everything to keep players of this quality at BVB – because we are ambitious, because we want to win titles. For this, we need not only good but outstanding players."

Bellingham, who has 22 international cap with England, is expected to be named in Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad for this month's Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.