Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - September 14, 2022, Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham in action.
Manchester United are ‘expected’ to make a fresh push for the signature of Jude Bellingham next summer, according to Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic.
The lowdown
The 19-year-old left Birmingham City to join Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund in 2020 in a £25m transfer. He has since established himself as a regular starter for both the Champions League club and for his country.
Bellingham, who featured in the Bundesliga Team of the Season in 2021/22, is reportedly valued at a whopping £131m.
The latest
Whitwell took to Twitter to rave about Bellingham’s display in England’s UEFA Nations League game against Germany on Monday night. He says that United have received ‘unanimously positive’ reports after seven years of scouting, and that should lead to an attempt to sign the teenager next summer.
He wrote: “Jude Bellingham gave another example last night of why so many clubs have chased him for so long.
“#MUFC watched him 46 times since age 12 – reports unanimously positive. United expected to try again next summer. Liverpool seen as current frontrunners.”
The verdict
Like Whitwell says, Bellingham once again proved his worth in England’s 3-3 draw against Germany.
He earned a SofaScore rating of 7.6/10 – the highest in Gareth Southgate’s side – after winning a penalty, completing 41 out of 45 passes (91%), prevailing in eight out of 14 ground duels, drawing three fouls and making seven tackles and interceptions. It was truly a brilliant all-round display, and it led to an array of plaudits.
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Andros Townsend said that it was ‘a pleasure to witness’ the ‘special talent’ produce a ‘brave’ display, while The Mirror journalist Colin Millar dubbed him ‘genuinely outstanding’ and a ‘generational talent’, and Liam Tharme of The Athletic described him as ‘absolutely phenomenal’.
Based on those rave reviews and the teenager’s obvious high ceiling, why wouldn’t United make an approach for him in 2023, particularly given their extensive long-time scouting of the youngster?
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