JUDE BELLINGHAM’S admirers will have to pay around £100million up front if they hope to sign Europe’s hottest property in the summer.
Both Manchester clubs and Liverpool would love to bring him to the Premier League, while Real Madrid are confident they can trump them all.
GettyBorussia Dortmund won’t let Jude Bellingham leave on the cheap[/caption]
Borussia Dortmund are understood to have told all interested parties they are prepared to do business — if the majority of Bellingham’s valuation is paid in one hit.
And with a fee in the region of £130m being quoted, any serious buyer will have to come up with a huge down payment.
It has made a top-four finish vital for Liverpool, while United know they need the same after slipping down the pecking order of go-to clubs for players in recent seasons.
With Bellingham’s wages expected to be in the region of £300,000 per week and a hefty signing bonus, Dortmund expect their stance to flush out the serious bidders.
The Bundesliga side have to factor in a five per cent sell-on clause to the England midfielder’s former club Birmingham, agreed as part of the deal which saw them sign the teen for £22m in 2020.
There is growing feeling in Germany that Madrid and City lead the race for the 19-year-old, due to their financial clout.
City could raise around £75m if Bernardo Silva is sold at the end of the season, while Ilkay Gundogan is also in the final six months of his contract.
Despite Madrid’s strong links to Bellingham, boss Carlo Ancelotti recently distanced his side from a swoop.
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The Italian, who already boasts a midfield including Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde, said: “Bellingham has shown at the World Cup that he is a great midfielder, but so have others.
“Enzo Fernandez has played very well. Gavi and Pedri as well.
“Bellingham is one of those very good midfielders, but I’ll stick with the ones we have.”