Borussia Dortmund have ‘secret plan’ to keep Jude Bellingham

Bellingham is expected to leave the Bundesliga side this summer

Bellingham is widely expected to leave Dortmund this summer with Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid are set to battle it out for his signature.

Although Dortmund know that they are unlikely to hold onto the England international forever, they are determined to keep him at the Signal Iduna Park for at least one more year.

BILD have reported that as part of the plan to convince the 19-year-old to stay, sporting director Sebastian Kehl will invite Bellingham and his dad Mark to discuss a new contract.

The club are set to offer the youngster a deal worth £13m-a-season, which would make him the highest earner in the club's history. Additionally, as a token of gratitude to signing the deal, Dortmund will also insert a £131m release clause which will allow him to leave if any potential suitors match it.

It's still expected that a summer departure is the most likely end result and that Real Madrid remain the favourites to land the England international as they look to replace Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos for the long-term.

So far this season Bellingham has nine goals and five assists at club level and has regularly worn the captain's armband. He also started both of England's recent international fixtures, playing 85 minutes in Sunday's 2-0 win against Ukraine.

Steven Gerrard was extremely impressed with what he saw and claimed that Bellingham was better than he was aged 19.

"I never had that power until 22 or 23, he's more physically developed. He's more confident on the ball. I'm not just being modest. He's further on than where I was at the same age.

"He's in a fantastic place and he needs to keep playing well."

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