Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham could become the most expensive midfielder in history, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The 19-year-old's next career move is expected to dominate the 2023 summer transfer market, with Dortmund not expected to retain his services for another season.
The Black and Yellows won the race to sign Bellingham from Birmingham City for £22.5m in the summer of 2020, despite widespread interest from across England.
Despite his tender age, Bellingham immediately cemented himself as a regular starter for Dortmund, and he has 18 goals and 20 assists to boast from 107 games for the German giants.
Bellingham's contributions include eight goals and two assists from 17 games in all competitions this season, and he has scored in all of Dortmund's Champions League games so far.
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In doing so, the England international became the first English teenager to score in four consecutive Champions League games in a single season, and he found the back of the net twice in Saturday's 5-0 thumping of Stuttgart.
Dortmund can expect to receive a nine-figure sum for the sale of Bellingham, and Romano believes that the teenager will eventually leave for a record-breaking amount of money.
"Jude Bellingham has already scored 8 goals this season — including four in Champions League," Romano posted on Twitter.
"It's just October, he's supposed to be a midfielder and he's still 19. Jude will probably become the most expensive midfielder ever."
Philippe Coutinho currently holds that record following his £142m switch from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2018, followed by Paul Pogba's £89m move to Manchester United from Juventus two years earlier.
Jude Bellingham has already scored 8 goals this season — including four in Champions League. 🟡⚫️⭐️ #BVB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 22, 2022
...it's just October, he's supposed to be a midfielder and he's still 19.
Jude will probably become the most expensive midfielder ever. pic.twitter.com/9P8TXGaVgc
Bellingham signed a contract extension with Edin Terzic's side until 2025 last year, and the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are all expected to enter the race to sign him.
The former Birmingham starlet is believed to be favouring a move to Los Blancos, who are already rumoured to have entered advanced talks to acquire his services.
Carlo Ancelotti has welcomed Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni to the club amid Casemiro's exit, while Toni Kroos and Luka Modric's futures are also unclear.
Modric signed a one-year extension with Real Madrid in the summer, meaning that he will be 38 by the time that deal is due to expire, and it remains to be seen if he will stay on for another year.
Meanwhile, Kroos has also entered the final 12 months of his contract with the La Liga and Champions League holders, and Ancelotti recently provided an update on the German's future.
Ben Knapton
