England midfielder Jude Bellingham’s value is rising by the day as Borussia Dortmund look set to maximise their profits

Darragh MacAnthony, the chairman of Peterborough United and a die-hard Liverpool supporter, thinks Jude Bellingham would still be ‘excellent value’ even if he were to cost more than £200 million.

Yesterday, when England defeated Senegal 3-0 in the World Cup round of 16, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder’s value may have increased much more. After picking up a loose ball in midfield to set up Harry Kane’s 2-0 before halftime goal, it was his incisive run and cutback that connected with Reds captain Jordan Henderson for the first goal on the 38th minute.

Phil Foden, a standout for Manchester City, said of Bellingham yesterday night: “One of the most gifted players I’ve ever seen.” Jamie Carragher afterwards compared Bellingham’s breakout season to Paul Gascoigne’s during Italia ’90. Fair praise, therefore, for the young man, and a promising time for Dortmund, who will try to get the most out of the meager £20 million they paid for him in 2020.

And according to MacAnthony, that profit may increase ten-fold, and Bellingham might become the first midfielder to earn more than £200 million, surpassing only Paris Saint-2017 Germain’s acquisition of Neymar. The Posh chairman was still of the opinion that any prospective suitors would receive “excellent value” from the transaction.

As he tweeted: “The first £200 million CM transfer fee may have been paid for this Jude youngster. For the next 15 years, whomever signs him could have a player of the highest caliber. Calculate that annually (good deal).”

In response to a remark regarding Bellingham’s price, he also stated: “The average way bill for a top club is over £300 million, so paying 8% of that amount per year for a player who will soon be one of the top 5 players in the world to play in your midfield is a bargain, not to mention that half of it will be offset by the player’s commercial income. Generative talent!”