Football News: Borussia Dortmund sets a hefty price tag on Jude Bellingham

Borussia Dortmund reportedly set a €150 million (£132 million) asking price for in-demand midfielder Jude Bellingham. Going into the 2023-24 season, the 19-year-old is expected to become one of the most in-demand midfielders.

As a number of elite European clubs reportedly are eager to win the race for his signature. The Premier League's Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea have all been said to be interested.

While apart from the PL, Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid and French champs Paris Saint-Germain are also keen to bid for Jude Bellingham joined Dortmund for almost £25 million in the summer of 2020 from his former team, Birmingham City.

In 119 appearances for BVB in all competitions, the England international has contributed 20 goals and 24 assists. Elite European clubs have obviously taken notice of Bellingham's quick ascent on the world stage.

And the midfielder is reportedly planning to advise Dortmund of his wish to move at the end of the current campaign. Dortmund have "consistently made it plain," according to The Athletic, that they will only consider offers of €150 million.

The English player, who is under contract until June 2025, is not being forced to leave Germany, according to the source, but the German club is 'unlikely' to block his request to leave if he makes one.

Sebastian Kehl, the sporting director at Dortmund, has claimed that the team is still hopeful that Bellingham will stay with them for "as long as possible," but he has acknowledged that it may just be "wishful thinking."

"Of course we're trying to keep Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund as long as possible,"

Kehl told Ruhr Nachrichten.

"He's an incredibly important player who has shown once again this season how he identifies with this club and makes the team better."

"I would also like to still have Erling Braut Haaland or Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund. Because you can only imagine if we had managed to keep all three players in one team, what opportunities would then arise."
Kehl added:

"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."

Dortmund are now involved in a fiercely contested race for the title, sitting level on points at the summit with defending champions Bayern Munich and surprise package Union Berlin. While Bellingham will be hoping to complete the season with a Bundesliga winners medal.

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