Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Manchester City are vying for Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice may stay in London (but not at West Ham), and Moises Caicedo wants to join a top-four club... where the most sought-after midfielders may end up this summe

Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Manchester City are vying for Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice may stay in London (but not at West Ham), and Moises Caicedo wants to join a top-four club... where the most sought-after midfielders may end up this summer.

Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Moises Caicedo are all on the rise.

Chelsea signed another sought-after midfielder, Enzo Fernandez.

But where do Bellingham, Rice, and Caicedo go from here? We evaluate their options. Three down, one to go.

When Chelsea completed their mega-money move for Enzo Fernandez on deadline day, the pool of the most talented and sought-after midfielders shrank.

Blues co-owner Todd Boehly paid a record-breaking £107 million to Benfica for the Argentine, but the options for clubs looking to sign the best of the best in midfield are now limited.

And, now that Fernandez is no longer available, who are the other elite midfielders who will be available this summer?

Sportsmail looks at three players who could command large sums at the end of the season.






Chelsea broke the British transfer record on deadline day when they paid £107 million for Enzo Fernandez.

Bellingham, Jude

Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Manchester City

The cost is £130 million.

Every man and his dog wants him, but only a few can afford him. This summer, Jude Bellingham will spark a bidding war, with Borussia Dortmund willing to let him go for a big offer.

The 19-year-current old's contract expires in the summer of 2025, but the England international is now ready for the next chapter in his career, and three clubs are vying for his signature.

After a quiet January window, Liverpool is ready to go all in on signing Bellingham this summer. The Reds have long admired the teenager and are now making plans for the future, as Jurgen Klopp is desperate to strengthen his midfield.






This summer, Dortmund's Jude Bellingham will spark a bidding war among Europe's elite.



The England star is currently one of the most sought-after players in world football.

Thiago, Jordan Henderson, and James Milner are all over 30, and Fabinho, 29, is getting close.

Bellingham, who has been compared to Steven Gerrard, has received approval from the Liverpool legend himself, and the Dortmund star is considering a move to Anfield.

Liverpool, however, are not the only horse in this race.

Manchester City, their Premier League rivals, are also interested in Bellingham and have targeted him for a summer move.

As Sportsmail exclusively revealed, City are also considering a move for James Maddison, but Bellingham remains a priority for Pep Guardiola, who wants to reunite the Englishman with his former Dortmund teammate and good friend Erling Haaland.






With Thiago, Henderson, and Milner all over 30, Bellingham will help to rejuvenate Liverpool's midfield.

Unlike Liverpool, City have plenty of midfield depth, but there's no denying that Bellingham would be an assured starter alongside Rodri in the centre of the park.

City also has the financial firepower and resources to match or outbid any offer made to Bellingham.

While a move to the Premier League and back to his native England appears to be an enticing opportunity, Real Madrid's pull could prove decisive.

If Real can persuade Bellingham, he will become only the sixth Englishman to don the all-white suit, as well as a Galactico in his own right.






A reunion with former Dortmund teammate and good friend Erling Haaland is possible.



With Modric and Kroos in their twilight years, Ancelotti will want to refresh his midfield.

While Carlo Ancelotti, like Klopp, is looking to replace Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, who are nearing the end of their careers, Bellingham will face competition for minutes from Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Federico Valverde.

Wherever Bellingham goes, expect the £107 million Chelsea paid for Fernandez to be beaten.

Declan Rice, Arsenal, £80 million

After long being linked with a return to boyhood club Chelsea, where he began his academy career, it appears that a move back to Stamford Bridge is no longer on the cards, following the arrival of Fernandez.




While a move to west London is now unlikely, Rice will look to wrap up his time in east London this summer.

Rice has spent his entire senior career at West Ham, making 221 appearances for the Hammers in all competitions since his debut in 2017.






Declan Rice appears set to leave West Ham this summer, with Arsenal eyeing an £80 million move.

However, with the club in a relegation battle and a European finish uncertain, Rice will look to leave at the end of the season, having already turned down a number of contract renewals at the London Stadium.

The 24-year-old has made no secret of his desire to play in the Champions League - something West Ham have failed to offer him - and has spoken openly about his desire to play at the highest level in the game, claiming that you only get 'one' career.

'I see my friends in the Champions League winning big trophies,' he said ahead of England's last-16 match against Senegal. You only get one career, and at the end of it, you want to look back and see what you've accomplished.'

And, barring a complete collapse of their season, Arsenal will be able to provide him with just that next season.






The midfielder is expected to leave the east London club this year in search of European opportunities.



The Gunners, led by Mikel Arteta, have made £80 million Rice their top priority in the summer transfer window.



The Gunners were a late entrant in the race for Rice last month and have made him their top summer target.
Mikel Arteta's side are also willing to break the club's transfer record to sign the England international, who is valued at around £80 million.
West Ham want £100 million for their captain, but there appears to be little chance of receiving that sum.
And, despite making a number of high-profile bids for Moises Caicedo before the deadline (more on that later), Arsenal will put all of their efforts into landing Rice in the summer.
Moises Caicedo has played for Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool.

Price: £80 million

Moises Caicedo's departure from Brighton was one of the biggest moves that never materialised in the final days of the January transfer window.

Caicedo was desperate to make a move to Arsenal or Chelsea - both of whom were interested - before the deadline on Tuesday and was willing to agitate to get his wish.

The Gunners failed to sign the Ecuador international despite two offers, the second worth £70 million, with Brighton adamant he was not for sale.






Moises Caicedo had been linked with a January departure but may now leave Brighton in the summer.

The 21-year-old even took to social media to make a controversial request that Brighton grant him his move.

The fact that the midfielder has stayed at the Amex will be seen as a win for both the club and De Zerbi. On Sunday, the Italian manager appeared to open the door to Caicedo's departure, saying the team was ready to move on without him.

However, it is understood that in private, De Zerbi stressed the importance of Caicedo to his team and emphasised the importance of keeping him.

With that in mind, Brighton can expect another flurry of bids for the youngster when the transfer window reopens in the summer.



Caicedo's contract at the Amex Stadium runs until 2025, but Brighton want £80 million for him.






In a controversial social media post, the 21-year-old expressed his desire to leave Brighton.

Arsenal is one of the most likely suitors for Caicedo, while Chelsea could splash the cash again, but as with Rice, they may be hesitant given their recent £107 million outlay for Fernandez.

Liverpool were linked with Caicedo earlier in the transfer window and could pursue him again in the summer if they are unable to bring Bellingham to Anfield.

Caicedo's contract with the Amex expires in 2025, but another big-money offer in the summer could see the Seagulls cash in next time around.