How much is Jude Bellingham worth - could he be sold for more than Jack Grealish at Aston Villa?

After an utterly brilliant display for England in their World Cup opener, it is no wonder that Jude Bellingham has gathered the attention of some of the biggest clubs on the planet. The 19-year-old, who broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, was one of the best players on the field as the Three Lions swept Iran aside by six goals to two.

Bellingham’s dominant midfield display came just as transfer speculation was building momentum back at home - with links to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United gathering pace. The Premier League arch-rivals are set to lock horns in the battle for the former Birmingham City star’s signature, according to multiple reports.

As the rumours intensify, it brings about the question as to just how much Bellingham could be worth - and his value, quite frankly, is forever changing. But there are some good estimations as pointed out toward the end of this article. One thing that is for sure, is that Bellingham’s performance against Iran showcased to the world what he is capable of as an all-rounder in the centre of the park.

England have two more Group B matches to play as well as any further knockout stage fixtures they may reach, but Bellingham’s first 90 minutes of the tournament were a joy to behold - as pointed out by pundits soon afterward. “Oh my word, what a performance,” Premier League legend Alan Shearer told BBC Sport.

“Well done Gareth Southgate - some big calls made [including starting Bellingham] - and they’ve worked for him. His goal - it’s a really clever header, he times it well and he has the ability to put it in the corner. It was a complete performance from a very exciting player - he did everything, he tackled the ball, scored a goal, and ran well. It really was a special day.”

Shearer wasn’t the only one with strong praise for the boyhood Bluenose, who, as well as his goal, completed two dribbles, made three tackles, and was successful with 96% of his passes against Iran. With 113, Bellingham also made the fourth-most touches out of any player on the field.

“How confident and composed he is - the authority he plays about goes well beyond his years,” former England hero Rio Ferdinand said. “He’s a fabulous footballer. We talk about the greatest midfielders of England in our generation - none of them were doing what he is at his age. It’s fabulous to see, the way he conducts the play. You normally do that at 23 or 24 - not 19. Everything he does is brilliant. He’s the complete player.”

Just 18 months ago, Aston Villa sold England midfield counterpart Jack Grealish to Manchester City for around £100 million. Could Bellingham be the next player from the West Midlands to break an English transfer record? How much might the likes of Liverpool and Man Utd have to spend to acquire his services? We’ve taken a look, here at Birmingham World.

What is Jude Bellingham’s price tag at Borussia Dortmund?

According to a recent report in The Times, Bellingham “arrived in Qatar with a £100 million price tag over his head”, but this could soon be increased even more by Dortmund given the attention on him. The World Cup is one of the best platforms for a player’s value to increase, and one researcher has already taken note.

The CIES Football Observatory estimates that Bellingham is in fact the most valuable player in the entire competition - with an extraordinary market value of £175 million (€202 million). He sits £2 million ahead of Phil Foden in second place, whereas Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe is reportedly worth £160 million.

A few important things worth noting are the length of time left on Bellingham’s current contract, his age, and his attributes. With two-and-a-half years left on his Dortmund deal, it is still very much within the period that the German giants can avoid selling for a cut price - whereas the fact he is only 19 years of age means he is still nowhere near his full potential.

Furthermore, Bellingham’s immense versatility, stamina, and all-roundedness make him one of the most desirable players on the planet. The midfielder has played 100% of the minutes available to him in the Bundesliga this season and he has directly contributed to 20% of Dortmund’s goals in the competition.

All of these factors can only inflate his price further - and they suggest the remarkable figures being touted aren’t exactly far adrift from what Dortmund are likely to charge for his services. With a 5% sell-on clause, Birmingham could be delighted with some profit, too.