Arsenal are unlikely to be in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham this summer, according to reports.
The England international is expected to be one of the most in-demand players in the upcoming transfer window with Liverpool. RealMadrid, Manchester CityManchester United and Chelsea are all monitoring the 19-year-old’s situation in Dortmund.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are looking to sign at least one new central midfielder this summer, as Mikel Arteta has relied heavily on Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard this season.
The Gunners seem almost certain to be able to offer any potential new signing the prospect of playing in the Champions League next season, an incentive that could influence Bellingham’s next move.
However, The Telegraph reports that there is no indication from Arsenal that they are ready to compete for Bellingham’s signature this summer.
The report claims that the price of Bellingham’s transfer – a fee likely to exceed £100 million plus a large salary – is likely to be a key factor behind Arsenal’s decision not to enter the race.
Another reason Arsenal appear to be sidestepping Bellingham is that they have made Declan Rice their main target in midfield, and The Gunners could bolster their squad with two key signings for the same price as the Dortmund midfielder.
Spoken in February, former Arsenal scout Francis Cagigao revealed that he recommended Bellingham’s signing to the Gunners but the midfielder, who was at Birmingham City, was ‘already too expensive’.
“I first saw him when he was 16 years old,” Cagigao told AS.
“I wanted to sign him for Arsenal, but he was already too expensive.
‘He’s very good. What is clear is that if a club has paid that amount for Enzo [Fernandez],,A club will also pay for Bellingham.’
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