Liverpool suffer major transfer blow with rivals ready 'to move heaven and earth' to sign Klopp target

Chelsea will compete with Liverpool to sign England and Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham, according to a fresh report.

The 19-year-old’s standout performances in the Bundesliga and at the World Cup have seen him become the most sought-after midfielder in world football.

Indeed, on the continent, La Liga giants Real Madrid and Ligue 1 heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain are both said to be lining up summer move for the teenager.

Meanwhile, a host of clubs in the Premier League, including Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City have been tipped to make an approach for Bellingham.

Jurgen Klopp’s side in particular have allegedly made the England star their priority transfer target, to provide an antidote to the Reds’ underperforming and ageing midfield.

Chelsea to ‘move heaven and earth’ for Bellingham

According to a fresh Telegraph report, Chelsea are trying to convince Bellingham to consider a move to Stamford Bridge despite having spent £600million in the past two transfer windows.

Co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have reportedly worked hard to establish a relationship with Bellingham’s representatives since taking charge at Chelsea and have identified the Borussia Dortmund star as a primary target.

Indeed, the publication claims Boehly and Eghbali were at England’s first World Cup game against Iran in Qatar where Bellingham scored the Three Lions’ opener, and they would reportedly be prepared to “move heaven and earth” to try to sign him.

However, the Blues allegedly recognise they are not among the favourites to sign the player, and missing out on Champions League qualification would make their task even harder.

Yet Chelsea will still do “everything in their power” to make themselves an option for Bellingham in the summer. In turn, the club will allegedly attempt to keep lines of communication open with the midfielder's advisers.

Of course, Borussia Dortmund are also hoping to hang on to the youngster past the summer, with his contract there not expiring until 2025.