Raphael Honigstein has told BBC Sport that Graham Potter’s Chelsea will make a bid for Liverpool target Jude Bellingham in the summer of 2023, adding that he will be in as much demand as Erling Haaland was before he moved to Manchester City.
The well-known and well-respected journalist has claimed that Chelsea will be one of the clubs who will be determined to sign the 19-year-old England international midfielder from Borussia Dortmund next summer.
The Sun reported over the weekend that Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United all want to sign the £83 million-rated Bellingham.
The Sunday World journalist Kevin Palmer reported on Twitter this month that Liverpool have already made “initial moves” to sign Bellingham next summer, and that the former Birmingham City youngster himself is aware of interest in him from the Merseyside club.
Norway international striker Haaland moved to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022.
Chelsea tipped to move for Liverpool target Jude Bellingham
Honigstein said about Bellingham: “He will be next summer’s Haaland. Dortmund will be hoping he can stick around a bit longer. Only a few months ago he said he has no intention leaving and was happy at Dortmund.
“But his progress has been so rapid, Dortmund can no longer hide how good he is – especially if he starts performing like that at the World Cup.
“Clubs will start queuing, because whoever misses out on him will feel like they are missing out on a generational talent of English football.
“I feel he can play in any system in any team. The system changes with him. In a couple of years the system will evolve by him being there.
“He is like the all-action box-to-box classic English general. Maybe Liverpool come the closest to playing like this.
“Before he went to Dortmund he had big offers from Manchester United. Everyone will clamour for his signing, including Chelsea with the new owners. He likes the physical challenge as well. I have no concerns about him fitting into the Premier League.”
Stats
Jude Bellingham has made seven appearances in the Bundesliga, and has scored two goals in two UEFA Champions League matches for Borussia Dortmund so far this season.
Last season, the teenager scored three goals and gave eight assists in the Bundesliga, scored two goals and provided one assist in the UEFA Europa League, and scored one goal and gave three assists in six UEFA Champions League matches for Dortmund.
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