Borussia Dortmund have decided against letting midfielder Jude Bellingham leave this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg. It comes amid reported interest from Chelsea as well as Manchester United.
The 18-year-old has shone since making the move to Germany in 2020 for roughly £22million. This season alone he has made 28 Bundesliga appearances, becoming a key figure in the midfield.
His impressive form alongside it has seen him receive several call ups to Gareth Southgate’s England senior squad. Such is his meteoric rise, a number of clubs have been reportedly eyeing a move.
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Southgate’s praise of the youngster in the past year has only backed up what many are saying about his potential in the game: “I’m very, very impressed with him [Jude Bellingham]. We’ve got to make sure that we look after him, that we help with that education and help with that development.
“We’ve got to protect him at the right times but he’s going about it in exactly the right manner.” With links to Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel could look to raid one of his former clubs for the youngster.
The German coach is said to be keen to freshen up his midfield, with duo Jorginho and N’Golo Kante both out-of-contract in 2023 and into their 30s. It opens up a move for Bellingham, though Dortmund’s decision means it wouldn’t go through this summer.
Whether he’d be available beyond that point remains to be seen, though it could come at a costly transfer fee. With the potential on display, it could be a risk worth taking, but for the time being it appears that his development will continue at Borussia Dortmund.