£20 million ask price prevented Chelsea from signing Bellingham – Frank Lampard

Former Chelsea manager and legend Frank Lampard reveals he made attempts to sign Jude Bellingham during his time in charge of the club.

Lampard disclosed during Mikel Obi’s ‘Obi One’ Podcast that he was “desperate” to bring Bellingham to Chelsea, but the club’s management was unwilling to pay the asking price, which was around £20 million at the time.

Bellingham has made a huge impact since his move to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

The Spanish giants signed the English international in a deal worth up to £113 million.

However, Lampard’s efforts to sign him during his tenure at Chelsea were thwarted.

“When I was managing at Chelsea (first time) I was desperate to bring Jude Bellingham in.

“But I couldn’t get it through upstairs – the idea of paying £20m for someone his age (at the time),” Lampard said.

Lampard who first managed Chelsea from July 2019 to January 2021, expressed his desire to secure Bellingham when the midfielder was still playing for Birmingham City.

Although Lampard couldn’t convince the club’s decision-makers to sign Bellingham, the player later made a move to Borussia Dortmund in a £25 million transfer transfer fee.

During Lampard’s time as Chelsea manager, the club primarily signed established players like Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz, and Edouard Mendy, who have all been sold now.