Last week Liverpool fans were crushed when they found out the club couldn’t afford a record-breaking deal to sign Jude Bellingham in the summer. The Reds have been hoping to sign the Borussia Dortmund star for a long time and when they were told that they couldn’t fund a deal for their top target it was understandable for them to be disappointed.
Jurgen Klopp’s side has been crying out for more strength in the midfield for the past two years and in Bellingham they would have a young superstar that they wouldn’t need to replace for many years. This, and the fact the player is already delivering at an incredible level at 19, are why Liverpool and some of the best clubs in the world are frantically doing everything they can to get his signature.
After last week’s report, we assessed what the summer could have in store for Bellingham if he decided to move on from the Black and Yellows in search of a new challenge. We even mentioned that the England international could remain in the Bundesliga for another term in case he had his heart set on a move to Anfield.
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Interestingly, The Times reported this morning that Bellingham is indeed leaning towards staying at Dortmund for another year which will give hope to Liverpool supporters, but also Manchester United fans too.
The Red Devils are long-time admirers of Bellingham and, like Dortmund and Real Madrid, they have been tracking him since his academy days at Birmingham City. The youngster received a detailed tour of Carrington months before he left the Blues for Germany. More recently, manager Erik ten Hag expressed interest in the player and given the transformation that is happening at Old Trafford, there is no better marquee signing for Ten Hag’s revolution than one of the world’s biggest rising stars.
There is a lot up in the air at United right now regarding the ownership situation but there are many parties looking to thrash out a deal with the Glazers to take control and steer the club back to its days of glory.
If there is substance to the latest report surrounding the Bellingham transfer saga, the update will be a welcome one to both Liverpool and Man United. When the upcoming transfer window opens Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are the clubs who definitely have the financial power to pay Dortmund’s valuation, but Bellingham is certainly not a player that is motivated by money.
He is an intelligent young man who will carefully assess the proposals in front of him and will choose the best option for his skillset, and the environment that he feels will further his development. At PSG, there are a lot of superstars but it doesn’t seem like the most challenging club for a player hoping to become one of the world’s best midfielders, and considering the whispers of division within the Parisian's dressing room, it might not be the most suitable atmosphere.
At Real Madrid there could be a couple midfield spots opening up soon and Bellingham certainly has the talent and work rate to become a superstar with Los Blancos. Given his high ceiling, this doesn’t feel like a once in a lifetime opportunity for him though. The Spanish giants will continue to keep tabs on him wherever he goes, as they have done since his Birmingham days.
Manchester City offers him the chance to be coached by Pep Guardiola, which is a huge pulling factor, as well as being reunited with his former Dortmund teammate Erling Haaland. The only concern with this move is that the Cityzens already have a phenomenal squad that is filled with talent. Couple that with Guardiola’s penchant for playing roulette when it comes to revealing the team sheet, it could lead to an unfamiliar reduced role for Bellingham.
His development will still be enhanced off the pitch in training but the best way to evolve is by playing matches, particularly as a central midfielder. Everyone praises Phil Foden for the player he has become under the Spaniard but even after years in the first team squad, he is still subject to missing out on the starting lineup and sometimes even the matchday squad.
Bellingham has a good thing going at Dortmund. He is a key player and has already assumed the captaincy on a few occasions. There is also no denying the connection he has with the club, city and fans. He may feel that another year in Germany will serve him well and perhaps reckons that his game can still reach another level with the Black and Yellows.
If that does happen, Liverpool and Man United will be rubbing their hands together as it will give them both another year to save up to launch a monumental bid to try and lure Bellingham to their respective projects.
