Reports suggest that Chelsea pushed hard to sign Jude Bellingham back in 2020, before he eventually joined Borussia Dortmund.
According to The Athletic, the Blues made a big effort to sign him from Birmingham City, and will look to make amends for their missed opportunity next summer.
The England international has become one of the better players in his position in world football since taking the step up from the Championship.
Despite being just 19 years of age, he appears to have his choice of which top European club to join next, with Chelsea no doubt registering interest.
He was recently seen starring against Manchester City in the Champions League, and his performances have seen him tipped for a starting role in Gareth Southgate’s England side at this winter’s World Cup.
Chelsea nearly signed Bellingham
An impressive showing at the tournament would only further interest in his services, but also likely his price tag. The Athletic have claimed that Borussia Dortmund are already holding out for £150m for their star talent.
With the Blues making an effort to invest in young players last summer, the signing would certainly make sense based on the model they are trying to bring to Stamford Bridge.
This was proven by the additions of the likes of Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei over the summer, with Todd Boehly bringing a clear vision to the future.
Despite all that, Bellingham is a star for the present as well as the future, and would easily become a starter at Stamford Bridge if he was to join.
With the future of key midfielders N’golo Kante and Jorginho currently unclear, the signing of someone the quality of Bellingham is undoubtedly the calibre they would need to look at in order to competently replace them.