Chelsea join Man Utd in record £50m transfer battle for 16-year-old wonderkid
Chelsea have entered a £50million battle with Manchester United to land whizkid Jude Bellingham.
The Birmingham ace, 16, is being watched by all of Europe’s top clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona.
But Chelsea and United are leading the charge — and prepared to pay a mind-boggling £35m for the England youth star, plus £15m in add-ons, a potential record for a 16-year-old.
It would not affect either side’s interest in Borussia Dortmund’s £120m-rated Jadon Sancho or United’s pursuit of Jack Grealish and James Maddison.
SunSport revealed in October that United were prepared to offer £30m for Bellingham — but the competition has grown to such an extent the bidding will increase.
Bellingham is considered the best English talent since Wayne Rooney.
And while all of the top sides in England, Germany, Spain and Italy have sent their scouts, Dortmund are the ones expected to make a major move — especially with Sancho set to depart.
Chelsea join Man Utd in battle to sign Jude Bellingham at Birmingham – and both ready to pay £35m plus £15m https://t.co/xZZN5ZBrf4
— Charlie Wyett (@CharlieWyett) February 12, 2020
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Bellingham earns £145 a week as a scholar and cannot sign a pro contract until June.
He made his debut aged 16 years and 38 days in August, to beat the Blues’ club record of 16 years and 139 days set by Trevor Francis.
United have already made repeated moves to sign Bellingham — and had a £30m January offer snubbed.