Liverpool, Manchester City or Real Madrid?

While the likes of Lionel Messi could continue speculating about his future in 2023, all the headlines of the summer transfer window could be stolen by England’s hottest up-and-coming talent.

Jude Bellingham has continued his remarkable rise since joining Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham three years ago, quickly becoming one of the most influential midfield stars in European football.

With BVB now at the center of a real Bundesliga title fight, the 19-year-old has become the figurehead of the German giants and has been named the club’s captain this season.

Bellingham is arguably the best player as England reached the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. It’s no secret that Bellingham has a number of heavyweight admirers all waiting for the transfer window to reopen.

With Dortmund already making it clear they value their midfield talisman at over £100m, we’ve taken a look at the top three contenders in the race for Bellingham’s signature this summer.

Liverpool

Liverpool, who opened their Champions League knockout stage adventure with a nightmarish 5-2 home win over Real Madrid on February 21, have come under increasing scrutiny this season.

Jurgen Klopp’s side, now only struggling to clinch a crucial top-four finish in 2023, have certainly made a name for themselves for their rather glaring problems down the middle of the pitch.

While the Premier League giants might have broken the bank in welcoming Darwin Nunez last summer, Merseyside supporters have urged their side to add a natural central midfielder to their ranks.

With the likes of Thiago, Fabhino, James Milner and Jordan Henderson now all on the wrong side of 30, there has been strong suggestion in recent months that Bellingham is Klopp’s number one target when the window reopens.

With reports even suggesting the former Dortmund boss is poised to break Liverpool’s transfer record to ambush his former club, Klopp appears to have put all his eggs in Bellingham’s basket this summer.

Although the Reds may face the prospect of missing out on Champions League football next season, they are still in pole position to snag Bellingham’s signature.

Liverpool set to sign Jude Bellingham this summer – best odds: 2/1 with BetVictor

Manchester City

While it could reportedly be Liverpool leading the hunt for Bellingham in 2023, Klopp’s side will know they are in for a big heavyweight fight in the coming months.

Although Manchester City could be dealing with some more public issues behind the scenes at the Etihad after being hit by over 100 suspected breaches of FFP rules, the reigning Premier League champions are expected to show their money this summer.

Although Pep Guardiola’s side welcomed former Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips to Manchester for £45million last year, City could be poised for a real midfield overhaul ahead of the 2023/24 season.

With Ilkay Gundogan now entering the final six months of his deal at Etihad, Guardiola has been full of praise for Bellingham’s development over the past 12 months.

With the 19-year-old putting on a Man of the Match performance ahead of the World Cup break when City welcomed Dortmund to a Champions League showdown at the Etihad, Bellingham has plenty of admirers in the Manchester blue half.

Bellingham is still firmly in the mix to claim another Premier League crown this season and would certainly be another superstar should City agree to another blockbuster deal.

Manchester City sign Jude Bellingham this summer – best odds: 4/1 with BetVictor

real Madrid

While Bellingham may have all of the Premier League’s elite looking for his signature when the window reopens, the international, with 22 caps, also has plenty of fans from across Europe.

Although many might have hinted that Dortmund’s midfield talisman might want to return to England following his departure from Birmingham in 2020, Real Madrid have remained longtime admirers and are still on the hunt.

With players like Casemiro joining Manchester United last summer and with ongoing speculation that Toni Kroos could hang up his boots at the end of the season, Los Blancos have made a real midfield switch lately.

Madrid signed two French starlets Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni last year and reportedly see Bellingham as the final piece in their midfield puzzle.

Although Madrid may face an uphill battle to reclaim the domestic title this season, the reigning European champions have shown they are ready to break the bank.

Still widely regarded as the most legendary and historic club in world football, Carlo Ancelotti’s superstars still believe they can lure Bellingham to the Spanish capital this summer.

Real Madrid sign Jude Bellingham this summer – Best odds: 5/1 with BetUK

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