Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has insisted that they intend to keep hold of in-demand midfielder Jude Bellingham for "as long as possible".
The 19-year-old has developed into a star player with the Bundesliga club since joining from Birmingham City in 2020, recording 20 goals and 24 assists in 117 appearances across all competitions.
Bellingham has enjoyed a prolific spell in front of goal so far this season, netting 10 times and providing six assists in 27 games, including four strikes in five Champions League outings.
The England international's rapid rise on the global stage has understandably caught the eye of several top clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, although it is understood that Bellingham is against a move to either of the latter two clubs.
Bellingham is under contract at Dortmund until the summer of 2025, but the midfielder is allegedly expected to inform the club of his desire to leave in the summer transfer window.
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Dortmund chief Kehl remains hopeful that they can hold on to their prized asset, but he has admitted that it could be "wishful thinking."
Speaking to Ruhr Nachrichten, via The Mail, about Bellingham's future, Kehl said: "Of course we're trying to keep Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund as long as possible.
"He's an incredibly important player who has shown once again this season how he identifies with this club and makes the team better.
"I would also like to still have Erling Braut Haaland or Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund. Because you can only imagine if we had managed to keep all three players in one team, what opportunities would then arise."
Kehl added: "Things develop due to market mechanisms. So of course, I have my thoughts and also have my wishful thinking. I can't say whether [Bellingham staying] will happen in the end.
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"From Borussia Dortmund's point of view, the wishful thinking would be to keep a player of this quality at this club for as long as possible.
"We will always try everything to keep players of this quality at BVB – because we are ambitious, because we want to win titles. For this, we need not only good but outstanding players."
Bellingham and co are currently involved in a hotly-contested race for the Bundesliga title, with eight points separating the top six teams in the division; BVB sit third at present and just three points behind Bayern Munich at the top.
Dortmund, who have won all six domestic matches since the World Cup break, are now preparing for their first-ever meeting with Chelsea in the last 16 of the Champions League, and Bellingham is expected to be named in the starting lineup for the first-leg tie on Wednesday.
Oliver Thomas
