Manchester United have a strong interest in signing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham in the next summer transfer window, confirms The Athletic’s James Pearce and Laurie Whitwell. The Red Devils are likely to look for another midfield signing next summer after recently roping in Christian Eriksen and Casemiro.
Manchester United Face Tough Competition From European Heavyweights for Jude Bellingham Signing
The battle for Jude Bellingham…
🛑 Dortmund value him at €150m and still hope he’ll sign new contract
🛑 #LFC retain strong interest but face competition from United, City, Chelsea and Real.
Who’s got the edge? Joint read with @lauriewhitwell and co. https://t.co/EzfIUXKYmC— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) September 21, 2022
United to Be Rivalled by Multiple European Giants for Bellingham
The bad thing for the Manchester side is that they are not the only ones who are interested in making a move for the England international. They will face stiff competition from the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid, who are all keeping track of the midfielder’s progression and hoping to make a move for him if he becomes available in the 2023 summer window. Dubbed the “finest young midfielder on the planet” when crowned NXGN’s top wonderkid in football, it doesn’t take much to realise just why the former Birmingham City player is so highly coveted.
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It all depends on if the 19-year-old, whose contract with the German club runs till 2025, is willing to push for an exit next year. If he does, then Dortmund are unlikely to stand in his way but will not sell him for anything less than £130 million, adds The Athletic. It is understood that there is no release clause within his current contract either, which means that Dortmund can set their terms when clubs eventually come calling.
United’s Past Failures to Sign Bellingham Remembered
The Red Devils have been interested in signing the England international since he was playing at Birmingham City. Before he joined the Bundesliga club in 2020, United tried their best to convince him to join them and used all their possible star power to attract his attention. That included reportedly having him meet with Sir Alex Ferguson at their Carrington training facility, where the iconic manager gave a glowing recommendation of the club to him.
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DERBYSIEGER! What a way to mark 100 @BVB appearances.🖤💛
Get well soon @woodyinho 🫶🏽 pic.twitter.com/9U7sPPygRe— Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) September 17, 2022
However, Bellingham was never close to joining the Red Devils and ended up rejecting their offer as he felt his developmental program would be better at Dortmund. He has since soared with the German side, making 100 appearances for them, scoring 13 goals, and registering 18 assists. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola recently dubbed him as an “exceptional player” and that’s why the Citizens are among the many clubs who could fight for his signature next year.
