Liverpool and Real Madrid are the "frontrunners" to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham next summer, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.

The 19-year-old is attracting interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe, but it appears that Liverpool and Real Madrid are the two outfits leading the race for his signature.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update

GiveMeSport Transfer Update

What is the latest news involving Bellingham?

The Telegraph recently reported that Liverpool's Premier League rivals Chelsea are ready to enter the battle for Bellingham.

The same outlet claims that the Englishman is valued at £130m, so it is going to be a very expensive transfer.

The above is not too far away from the CIES Football Observatory's valuation, which is currently £158m.

Dortmund only paid Birmingham City an initial £25m fee when they bought him a couple of years ago, so the German club look set to make a hefty profit if they do decide to sell him next summer.

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What has Jacobs said about Bellingham and Liverpool?

Chelsea have some catching up to do, with Jacobs telling GIVEMESPORT that Liverpool and Real Madrid are currently at the front of the queue for Bellingham.

Speaking to GMS, the journalist said: "The frontrunners at the moment are Liverpool and Real Madrid, and Real Madrid are taking some heart from the fact that Bellingham isn't really discussing signing a new deal at Dortmund yet. They see that as part of the plan with a view to 2023, and then Liverpool have put in a lot of leg-work. So Liverpool and Real Madrid are the two frontrunners."

Who is Bellingham more likely to join, Liverpool or Chelsea?

If the former Birmingham player decides he wants to return to England, Anfield looks like a likelier destination than Stamford Bridge.

The opportunity to work under a world-class manager in Jurgen Klopp will surely appeal to Bellingham, as will the chance to compete for the Premier League title - something Chelsea have not been able to do in years.

As for why Liverpool would want this deal to happen, the England international is a footballer who is clearly heading to the very top.

"I know this is high praise but he could go on to be like [Zinedine] Zidane," talkSPORT's Andy Goldstein said last year. "We rate him that highly. I think he’s a phenomenal player."

For any elite club looking to improve their midfield, Bellingham has to be an option that they consider.