Jude Bellingham still on Chelsea’s radar despite the club’s transfer frenzy

Borussia Dortmund star Bellingham will get another chance to impress his suitors in tonight’s Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against Chelsea in Germany.

There is a recognition within Chelsea that they are not among the favourites to sign Bellingham, who is also a target of Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid, and missing out on qualification for the Champions League would make their task even harder.

But that will not stop Chelsea doing everything in their power to make themselves part of the conversation over Bellingham in the summer, when the midfielder is expected to move.

Co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have worked hard to establish contacts and relationships with representatives of Bellingham since taking charge at Chelsea and quickly identified the England international as a top target.

Chelsea broke the British record to sign Enzo Fernandez for €120m (£106m) but are expected to try to sign another central midfielder in the summer, with West Ham’s Declan Rice and Brighton’s Moises Caicedo still targets.

Bellingham tops that list, but Liverpool, Madrid and City are all thought to be better placed to sign the 19-year-old at this stage.

Chelsea could still face Financial Fair Play issues this summer if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, but the club are planning a clear-out which could involve selling some home-grown players to boost their FFP position.

​Whether that would be enough to accommodate Bellingham, who is valued at around £100m and would command wages in excess of £200,000 (€227,000) a week, remains to be seen, but Chelsea are expected to try to hold further talks. Tenth in the Premier League and 10 points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United, Chelsea’s best chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League might be to win this year’s tournament.

That may seem fanciful, but captain Cesar Azpilicueta said: “I’m not surprised we are not the favourites to win the Champions League from the outside, but what counts is on the pitch, and we have to show that we deserve to be in the next round and then build up from there. But the reality is on the pitch, and it’s up to us to be ready for the challenge.”

Borussia Dortmund v Chelsea, Live, BT Sport 1, 8.0pm