It appears that Manchester United have missed out on Birmingham City’s Jude Bellingham, as his move to Germany is ‘nearing completion’.
This is what Ruhr Nachrichten are reporting on Monday afternoon, as they state the young midfielder ‘wants and will join Borussia Dortmund, where he is very welcome’.
They explain the German side ‘had their eyes’ on the Birmingham starlet ‘for a long time’ and ‘initiated the transfer early’, and while there was interest from top English clubs, ‘the player and his father advising him seem to be keeping their word’.
It’s revealed they turned down Manchester United and Chelsea ‘face to face’ in order ‘not to block the doors for a possible return’ to England in a few years, but the youngster’s goal has always been to have a spell with Dortmund.
Currently on an ‘apprenticeship contract’, which Bellingham can ‘unilaterally terminate’, the midfielder will still cost the Bundesliga side ‘training compensation’, which Ruhr Nachrichten say will be around £20m.
As they point out, that’s a lot of money, but those in charge at Dortmund ‘seem convinced of this transfer’ and have made ‘a highly endowed offer’.
They know he could earn more money elsewhere, but the ‘fear’ another top club (such as the Red Devils) could swoop in before the signature ‘seems unfounded’.
It’s also believed that ‘part of the agreement’ with Birmingham City would allow the Championship club to ‘participate in a resale’.
This would certainly be a blow for Manchester United, who were said to be providing the German side with the most competition.
But after seeing the likes of Ousmane Dembélé, Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho thrive in the Bundesliga at a club known to give youth a chance, Bellingham can’t really be blamed for wanting to give it a go himself.
