Chelsea place Bellingham top of shopping list

Chelsea have placed Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham at the top of their wish list for next summer, according to the Evening Standard.

It is believed that Todd Boehly, who heads the consortium that now owns Chelsea, is a big admirer of the 19-year-old midfielder, and the American businessman intends to stay involved in the club’s transfer activities making several appointments in the recruitment department. However, signing Bellingham won’t be easy. A player of his quality and age was always going to be an object of a race involving a number of top clubs around Europe, with Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid reportedly preparing to swoop in.

Bellingham has so far made 16 appearances in all competitions for Dortmund, scoring six goals and assisting his teammates twice. Barring an injury in the next few weeks, he is certain to make the England squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, likely as a starter in Gareth Southgate’s team.