Jude Bellingham transfer race heats up as PSG confirm interest in Chelsea and Liverpool target

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has publicly confirmed the club’s interest in signing Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.

The former Birmingham starlet was already considered as one of European football’s hottest midfield properties before embarking upon a terrific World Cup campaign in which he has played a central role in England’s goal-laden run to the quarter-finals.

Such impressive displays in Qatar have only added to the ever-growing buzz around Bellingham and his enormous potential, with the already fervent transfer speculation ratcheting up even further.

The 19-year-old is expected to leave Dortmund next summer after two valuable seasons in the Bundesliga that followed his Championship breakout, with a host of Europe’s top clubs believed to be queuing up to sign him including Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid, to name just few.

That swelling number also includes PSG, with Al-Khelaifi making no secret of their interest as they look to further improve a star-studded squad that already includes the likes of vaunted attacking trio Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

However, he insists that any future transfer approach will be made directly to Dortmund before the reigning Ligue 1 champions attempt to talk to the player.

"Amazing player - what a player,” Al-Khelaifi told Sky Sports of Bellingham before England’s quarter-final meeting with France. “England (are) lucky to have him, to be honest. He's one of the best players in the tournament.

"Amazing - his first World Cup. He's calm and relaxed, confident - amazing."

Asked if he was talking to his recruitment team about potentially signing Bellingham, he added: "Everybody wants him, I'm not going to hide it.

"He's at his club, and (we have) respect, so if we want to talk to him we'll talk to the club first."