Jude Bellingham: Fabrizio Romano reveals impact of Chelsea signing Enzo Fernandez on Liverpool target’s transfer fee
Clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid are learning how much they may have to pay to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in the wake of Chelsea signing Enzo Fernandez for big money.
Chelsea recently broke the British transfer record to strengthen their midfield with the addition of World Cup winner, Fernandez. Parting with €120million (around £107m) to sign him, the high-spending club will be hoping their faith pays off.
A deal of that magnitude could have a ripple effect throughout the footballing landscape. There are players of similar or higher pedigree than Fernandez who have carried lower valuations than his Benfica release clause was worth.
For example, another of the most in-demand midfielders in European football at present is Bellingham. The 19-year-old has developed significantly with Borussia Dortmund in recent seasons.
Therefore, he seems to have earned the chance to come back to English football, this time at Premier League level after his previous spell in the Championship with Birmingham City.
Liverpool have been the club most heavily linked with giving him a Premier League move. Recently, competition has emerged from Manchester City.
Coincidentally, Chelsea appear to have done themselves no favours with their big spending, as Bellingham isn’t now convinced about their structure.
But he still has plenty of options he would consider, including those in mainland Europe. For example, Real Madrid might make a big move to prevent his return to England with their own enticing project.
It has long been thought that Bellingham will cost anyone who takes him a nine-figure transfer fee. Borussia Dortmund will be eager to get a good deal out of selling their top prospect.
Now, seeing Fernandez move for €120m might give them encouragement about the kind of money they could demand for Bellingham.
Jude Bellingham transfer cost could surpass Enzo Fernandez
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Bundesliga side are yet to tell Bellingham’s suitors what their valuation is. Yet it is extremely unlikely they will let him leave for less than Fernandez has gone for.
“Some are speculating that the Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea transfer fee will affect the asking price of Jude Bellingham,” Romano told CaughtOffside in his daily column with the website.
“However, my understanding is that Borussia Dortmund have not formally communicated any price yet for Jude Bellingham.
“Talks will enter into important stages in the next weeks, it’s still open. For sure, I don’t see BVB accepting less than €120m.”
Bellingham is under contract in Germany until 2025. His current employers should be bracing themselves for his potential departure this summer, though.
When the time does come, they will be due to receive a major profit on what they originally spent to sign him. Fernandez’s time as the most expensive signing by a British club might not actually last too long, depending on Bellingham’s actual destination.
