According to Laurie Whitewell and Jack Pitt-Brooks of The Athletic, Borrusia Dortmund have agreed a fee with Birmingham City for the sale of Jude Bellingham. Yet, Manchester United are still fighting to get the youngster’s signature.
Manchester United Not Giving Up on Jude Bellingham Deal
Bellingham’s Short Professional Career
Jude Bellingham might only be 16, but he has made 34 appearances for Birmingham City this season. He made his full debut against Portsmouth in the League Cup first round, becoming the club’s youngest ever first-team player.
Bellingham is primarily a central midfielder, but Pep Clotet has utilised him on both flanks and also once as a centre-forward. He is solid defensively, with a strong six-foot frame. In the Championship, the youngster averages 2.3 tackles per game while also clearly having strong attacking attributes in his game, such as his dribbling and passing.
His strong performances in the Championship at only 16 have gained the attention of many top clubs to Bellingham.
Borussia Dortmund ‘Quietly Confident’ of Securing the Deal
Borussia Dortmund have agreed a deal of around £30 million for the youngster. The German club seem to have been favourites to sign the player.
Bellingham’s father is influential in the decision and feels a spell in the Bundesliga would be beneficial to his son.
However, Manchester United will not give up on the deal for the Birmingham City midfielder. The Red Devils have been scouting him since August 2017 and will not let him go to Dortmund without a fight.
The prospect of playing in the Premier League would be the temptation for the player.
Yet, playing time at United will not be regular and he will likely go on loan if he was to make that move. The United midfield is already well loaded, and potentially bringing in Jack Grealish in the summer will only make it more difficult for the 16-year-old to be involved.
Whereas, Dortmund have shown recently that they will put trust in the talented youngsters and develop them, with Jadon Sancho as an example. It would be more likely for frequent game time and development for Bellingham’s game in Germany.
Borussia Dortmund seem to have beaten Manchester United to another signing, after bringing in Erling Haaland in January. It is likely, however, that if his game develops, Jude Bellingham will be Premier League-bound after developing in Germany.
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