Dortmund line up Liverpool man as Bellingham replacement

Robin Bairner

• 1 Mar 2023 08:56 GMT
• 3 min read

Borussia Dortmund may not be admitting defeat to losing Jude Bellingham just yet, but the Bundesliga club are closely studying potential alternatives to the England international.

The transfer race for Bellingham is already an intense one. Teams from around Europe are jostling to get into position to sign the England international, with Liverpool Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and PSG in competition for the 19-year-old.

Bellingham is expected to fetch an enormous fee. Dortmund expect that the transfer will be worth well in excess of €120 million and potentially as much as €150m. After losing Erling Haaland to Manchester City for just €60m last summer, it is vital they recoup as much as possible for the flourishing midfielder.

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BVB may be bullish over offering him a new contract, but given the temptation of the world-leading clubs fighting for him, it would be little surprise to see him move on.

Dortmund doubtless realise that they are fighting a difficult battle and are watching several players with a view to signing them in the summer. Red Bull Salzburg’s Nicolas Seiwald has been watched lately but will sign for RB Leipzig in the summer, for example.

MORE: Dortmund issue Jude Bellingham warning to Liverpool and Real Madrid

Dortmund target Naby Keita

Liverpool’s Naby Keita, though, is a serious target, according to Sport Bild.

The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, and given his inability to hold down a regular starting place at Anfield since arriving from Leipzig for €60m amid much fanfare in 2018, the likelihood is that he will be allowed to depart.

Sport Bild even suggests that Keita was courted by RB Leipzig in January following an injury to Dani Olmo but ultimately wanted to stay with Liverpool to wind down his contract because he will have more numerous options in the summer.

Dortmund will be one of those teams.

Keita, though, is not the only player on BVB’s summer shortlist to replace Bellingham, with Daichi Kamada of Eintracht Frankfurt another possible target.