Speaking on Bild-TV, Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has confirmed that the Bundesliga side will hold talks with Jude Bellingham after the World Cup.
“I think as soon as Qatar is over, we’re going to have a basic conversation about what he actually wants,” said Watzke. “With him, with his parents, with whom we have a very close relationship and of course with his advisor. And then he should just tell us whether he wants to stay or whether he wants to go. Either way, we’ll discuss it pleasantly and reasonably.
“But we don’t have to pretend that the topic isn’t on the table. When the really big ones are there, we can’t afford to fight financially either. Jude is a wonderful boy who also has his fluctuations – we’ve seen that now but he is certainly one of the greatest talents in European football.”
Bellingham joined Borussia Dortmund in July 2020 for €25m. The 19-year-old has since been made the third captain of Borussia Dortmund behind Marco Reus and Mats Hummels. At such a young age, Bellingham has already played 112 games across all competitions for Die Schwarzgelben, scoring 19 and creating 21.
In the Champions League this season, Bellingham became just the third teenager to score in four consecutive Champions League games, joining Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé.
And after missing out on the Champions League knockout stages last season, dropping down to the Europa League, advancing into the Round of 16 this season was important for Bellingham. BVB finished their group with nine points following wins against Copenhagen and Sevilla, ending their group stage campaign with three successive draws.
Although a contract until 2025, Bellingham has attracted the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs with Premier League side Manchester United intensifying their efforts to sign the England international.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
