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Chelsea join Man Utd in record £50m transfer battle for 16-year-old Birmingham City wonderkid Jude Bellingham
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
But Chelsea and United’s hopes of landing Sancho, 19, could be scuppered by old club Manchester City.
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As part of the deal thrashed out with Dortmund in 2017, they can match any bids for the England star.
Dortmund’s sporting director Michael Zorc said recently: “City would have a maximum of ‘Matching Rights’.”
A deal could hinge on Leroy Sane’s future.
Manchester United target, Jude Bellingham, becomes Birmingham City’s youngest ever first-team player
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