Man Utd emerge as rivals to Liverpool for Bellingham's signature
FT Desk
- 24 Sept 2022 15:37 BST
- 3 min read
Liverpool have long been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund's England midfielder Jude Bellingham, but Manchester United could pull ahead of their great rivals in the pursuit of the youngster's signature.
Bellingham, 19, was one of the few players who emerged with his reputation enhanced after England were relegated to UEFA Nations League B with defeat to Italy in Milan on Friday, completing 96 per cent of his passes.
"Jude Bellingham? I wish he played for Italy!" said Alessandro Del Piero, despite his nation's victory, after the game.
😍 Incredible from #BVB's Jude Bellingham!
No wonder #MUFC and Liverpool want him.
Here's our valuation of the England star: https://t.co/kzBKCG4tP7pic.twitter.com/LnqbB3wmZA— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) March 14, 2022
Liverpool are desperate for midfield reinforcements with Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all having struggle with injury this season.
Arthur Melo has been drafted in loan from Juventus, but the Brazilian is seen as a stop-gap solution until they can acquire Bellingham, who is already rated at €74 million by Football Transfers sophisticated inhouse algorithm.
But United could be ready to steal in, with the offer of Bellingham's favoured No.22 jersey - currently worn by a back-up goalkeeper - just one of the things that might appeal to him about Old Trafford.
"At present, the No.22 shirt is occupied at United by goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who returned to the club in July 2021, 11 years after first leaving Old Trafford," write the Manchester Evening News.
"The former Burnley man is out-of-contract next summer, but does have the option to extend his stay by an additional year."
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One jersey alone might not sweeten the deal sufficiently, but Bellingham would also be reunited with former Dortmund teammate Jadon Sancho at United, with whom he lifted the DFB Cup in 2021.
United also appear to be upwardly mobile under Erik ten Hag, winning their last four Premier League games which have included victories over Liverpool and Arsenal. The Reds, meanwhile, have got off to their worst ever Premier League start under Jurgen Klopp.
If the Red Devils can offer Champions League football in a way that Liverpool can't next summer, United could well find themselves with England's most nascent talent on their books.
