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Chelsea 'eyeing Bundesliga raid including Jude Bellingham, Benjamin Pavard'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 13 October 2022

Chelsea 'eyeing Bundesliga raid including Bellingham, Pavard'

Chelsea are reportedly preparing to raid the Bundesliga for as many as four players next summer including Jude Bellingham and Benjamin Pavard.

Chelsea are reportedly preparing to raid the Bundesliga for as many as four players next summer.

Following the arrival of new owner Todd Boehly in May, the West Londoners spent in excess of £250m on summer signings with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella all moving to Stamford Bridge.

However, Boehly is believed to be preparing another spending spree in 2023 and is targeting a number of players in the German top flight.

Recent reports have claimed that Chelsea already have plans in place to sign RB Leipzig attacker Christopher Nkunku, who has allegedly signed a pre-contract agreement with the Premier League club after undergoing a 'secret medical' last month.

The Blues are understood to have expressed a willingness to activate the 24-year-old's €60m (£52.7m) release clause next summer.

RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku celebrates scoring their second goal on April 14, 2022 © Reuters

Nkunku enjoyed a prolific spell in front of goal with Leipzig last season, recording 35 goals and 20 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions, and he has since scored 10 goals in 15 games for the German outfit this campaign.

However, the France international is not the only Bundesliga player on Chelsea's radar, as the Daily Mail claims that they are also contemplating moves for Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol, Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard.

The Blues have been long-term admirers of 20-year-old defender Gvardiol, who was linked with a summer switch to Stamford Bridge under former boss Thomas Tuchel, while the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have also been credited with an interest.

The Croatia international has established himself as one of the Bundesliga's brightest prospects, but the report claims that Chelsea may have to fork out around £69.8m (€80m) if they wish to prise the youngster away from Leipzig.

Gvardiol extended his contract with Die Roten Bullen until the summer of 2027 just a month ago, but the defender has refused to rule out a potential move to Graham Potter's side in the New Year.

England's Jude Bellingham pictured on September 26, 2022 © Reuters

Another in-demand Bundesliga star is England international Bellingham, who is set to become one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe when the transfer window re-opens.

The Daily Mail claims that Boehly is hoping to fend of competition from a number of top clubs including Man City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid to sign the 19-year-old, and the American is prepared to pay over £87.2m (€100m) to bring the midfielder to West London.

Bellingham has developed into a key player at Dortmund since joining the club from Birmingham City in 2020, scoring 15 goals and registering 20 assists in 104 games across all tournaments.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are also said to be keeping tabs on Bayern defender Pavard, who could be available for as little as £30m (€34.4m).

The 26-year-old, who has less than two years remaining on his contract, has been a first-team regular at right-back for the perennial Bundesliga winners, featuring 131 times across all competitions since joining the club from Stuttgart in 2019.