Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham has been told why he must complete a transfer to Arsenal ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea.
Bellingham is expected to be at the centre of a huge bidding war with Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid all keen on signing the 19-year-old. The England international is considered to be one of the most talented midfielders in Europe and Dortmund are set to receive a number of eye-watering offers for their star player next summer.
The Bundesliga outfit slapped a £131million asking price on Bellingham over the summer transfer window but could be forced to sell him next summer with the young talent keen to take the next step in his career. Real Madrid are thought to be in pole position to land the teenager’s signature after entering ‘advanced talks’ and club president Florentino Perez ready to submit an opening offer of £87million for Bellingham.
The 19-year-old will want to move to a team that can consistently challenge for the top honours at club level, meaning his future team must feature in the Champions League on a regular basis. Arsenal have enjoyed an amazing start to the new campaign and currently sit top of the Premier League after reclaiming first place following a brilliant 3-2 win over a struggling Liverpool side.
Former Manchester City and Everton centre-back Joleon Lescott has tipped the Gunners to get one over Jurgen Klopp’s side once more in the summer when the race for the Dortmund star hots up again. Speaking to BT Sport, the former City star claimed: “If Arsenal manage to get top four, which I think they do, then they attract a whole different calibre of player.
“I can see people like Jude Bellingham deciding over them [Liverpool and Real Madrid]. If you are looking at Liverpool, who potentially may or may not make top four, and Arsenal you’re thinking, ‘They’ve got Champions League’.
Liverpool are currently six points adrift of the Premier League top four with their title challenging hopes having already seemingly vanished after just nine games. There is no doubt the appeal of Champions League football is a huge factor when attracting world-class players and Lescott feels that should the Gunners enjoy a successful season and return to Europe’s elite club competition, they could be in with a shout of signing Bellingham.
The ex-City defender continued: “Now all of a sudden you are attracting a different calibre of player. I’m not saying he is [going to Arsenal]. But his decision is going to be based on Champions League, in terms of the stature of the club it’s going to have to be relevant and match his ambitions.”
