Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has given his information on whether Manchester United want to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, amid his links with Liverpool.
Bellingham has played in all six of Dortmund’s German Bundesliga matches so far this season, helping them to pick up four wins. He also scored in Dortmund’s Champions League group stage opener, which ended in a 3-0 victory over FC Copenhagen.
The central midfielder will be hoping to get amongst the goals again when BVB travel to Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Playing at the Etihad will be a good chance for Bellingham to show English clubs once again what he can do.
Reports put him at the top of Liverpool’s wish list to revamp their midfield. They brought in Arthur Melo on transfer deadline day. But the Reds could pass up on the opportunity to sign him permanently once his loan spell ends.
This would leave enough space on the wage bill for Bellingham to potentially arrive at Anfield.
The 19-year-old has also been linked with Manchester United regularly. The Red Devils’ midfield has often come in for criticism in the past few seasons, which has mainly been aimed at Fred and Scott McTominay.
Erik ten Hag has attempted to rectify that problem by bringing in Casemiro and Christian Eriksen. However, both of the new arrivals are 30 years old.
As such, United may still need to capture Bellingham to ensure their midfield can be effective in the long term.
Romano talks Jude Bellingham rumours
In his latest CaughtOffside column, Romano wrote about Bellingham and rumours of a United switch for the teenager. He said: “Honestly, it was never close between Man United and Bellingham in the past.
“They were interested alongside many other clubs including Premier League sides and Juventus. But he only wanted Borussia Dortmund as the perfect step for his future – in my opinion, a very smart call.”
It seems United did want to sign Bellingham before his switch from Birmingham City to Dortmund in summer 2020. However, they were beaten to the punch by the German outfit, who got Bellingham’s signature by paying around £25million.
Romano is right to label the move ‘a very smart call’. Dortmund are known to produce players into top-class stars before selling them on for a big profit. They have done this with Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho in recent years, and the pair are now in the Premier League.
Bellingham could follow them to England by linking up with United or Liverpool. However, whichever club ends up being successful in the transfer chase will have to spend big.
The Englishman’s contract runs until June 2025, which means Dortmund can stick to their full valuation. This could be more than £100m.
While a 2020 move for Bellingham didn’t come to fruition for United, they might end up being successful in 2023.
Ten Hag will surely instruct his scouts and advisers to keep an eye on the star for the current campaign. And if the Frenkie de Jong pursuit comes to nothing, then Bellingham may become the prime target.