Chelsea are reportedly set to miss out on the signings of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham and RB Leipzig's Konrad Laimer next year.
The Blues are understood to have been keeping a close eye on the Bundesliga duo as they prepare for a possible midfield overhaul in the summer of 2023.
Bellingham has been on the radar of several top European clubs since his switch to the Westfalenstadion from Birmingham City in 2020, and he remains under contract at Dortmund until 2025.
Meanwhile, the likes of Liverpool and Bayern Munich have also been tipped to move for Laimer, who is due to become a free agent at the end of the season.
However, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg - via football.london - Chelsea are prepared to concede defeat in the race for both midfielders, forcing them to continue their search elsewhere.
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Bellingham is also believed to be wanted by Manchester City, Liverpool and Real Madrid, and he is said to have his heart set on a move to the Bernabeu.
Furthermore, Liverpool are thought to be ahead of Chelsea in the race for the 19-year-old if a move to Real falls through, and a fee of £130m could be required to prise him away from Dortmund.
Bellingham has continued his strong form at club level this term with nine goals and three assists in 22 outings, taking his total for Dortmund to 19 goals and 21 assists in 112 appearances.
The England international has also started both of the Three Lions' 2022 World Cup fixtures so far, with Gareth Southgate's side taking four points from their two clashes with Iran and the USA.
Meanwhile, Laimer will be free to enter pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs from January onwards, having entered the final year of his contract with Leipzig.
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The Austria international has only made six appearances for Die Roten Bullen during an injury-hit 2022-23 season, having suffered a torn knee ligament back in September.
Laimer still possesses a strong record of 11 goals and 18 assists from 167 Leipzig matches, though, and Bayern are said to be at the head of the queue for his signature.
The 25-year-old is widely expected to complete a free transfer to the Allianz Arena at the end of the season, but Liverpool are also in the mix should he opt for a different career path.
Chelsea could potentially lose both N'Golo Kante and Jorginho on free transfers at the end of the season, while Denis Zakaria's loan move from Juventus is not expected to be made permanent.
The Blues have also reportedly been handed a setback in contract talks with Mason Mount, who is said to have rejected a new £200,000 per week deal at Stamford Bridge.
Ben Knapton
