Chelsea are “not currently frontrunners” to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, according to CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs.
The reporter claims the Blues are “prepared” to offer Dortmund a “structured deal” that the Bundesliga club would favour, but they haven’t (yet) convinced the player that Stamford Bridge should be his next destination:
Not only about on-field appeal of a club or package, landing Bellingham requires time, energy and a personal pitch behind the scenes. #LFC and Real have invested more than other clubs to date and both feel when he makes a decision (whether Jan or next summer) that will pay off.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) September 27, 2022
As Jacobs mentions, Liverpool and Real Madrid are the two teams who have seemingly done most of the hard work behind the scenes to persuade the player and his entourage, with the Blues and Manchester United currently trailing in the battle.
However, things could still change in that regard between now and the summer. Graham Potter’s side are facing a challenge if they are to secure the signature of the teenager but, with Dortmund expected to hold out for at least £100m for Bellingham, Chelsea could still swoop in if other teams baulk at the asking price.
