Newcastle United have reportedly entered the race for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The England international's future remains the subject of much speculation, with a number of leading European clubs said to be determined to sign him during this summer's transfer window.
As it stands, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City are thought to be the three favourites for the 19-year-old, who is expected to inform Dortmund next month of his desire to leave in the upcoming market.
A recent report claimed that Real Madrid had identified Bellingham as their leading target for the summer, with Carlo Ancelotti's side desperate to win the race for his signature.
However, according to Bild, Newcastle are also in the running, with the Magpies now able to compete for the biggest names in world football due to their recent takeover, which has made them one of the wealthiest clubs in the world.
Eddie Howe's side are currently third in the Premier League table, and the club could spend big this summer if they secure Champions League football for the 2023-24 campaign.
Bellingham has been in impressive form for Dortmund during the 2022-23 season, contributing 10 goals and four assists in 24 appearances in all competitions.
The midfielder also starred for England at the 2022 World Cup, scoring once and providing one assist in five appearances, as the Three Lions reached the quarter-finals.
Dortmund have the former Birmingham City youngster on a deal until June 2025, but he is widely expected to force a move away from the German side in the upcoming window.
Any deal is likely to be in excess of £100m, with Bellingham establishing himself as one of the best young talents in world football over the last 12 months or so.
Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl recently said that there had been "no enquiries" for Bellingham at this stage despite the ongoing transfer speculation.
"There have been no enquiries at the moment," Kehl told Sky Deutschland. "If you saw him last weekend, with the focus and the passion that he has on the pitch (you'd see) that he is irreplaceable for us at the moment.
"From a sporting perspective, I would be thrilled if the boy would stay and would stay a long time at Borussia Dortmund. But I can't predict how the situation will develop over the next few months."
There have been suggestions that Bellingham's camp are keen for him to make the move to Liverpool, viewing the Reds as the ideal club at this stage of his career.
However, Jurgen Klopp's side are currently ninth in the Premier League table, 10 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, and a move for the youngster would be difficult, both from a sporting and financial point of view, without Champions League football for next term. body check tags ::
