Why Man Utd and Liverpool face missing out on Bellingham

James Shearman

Updated: 21 Sep 2022 12:12 CDT
3 min read

Jude Bellingham, Dortmund, 2022/23 — © ProShots

The summer of 2023 will be dominated by Jude Bellingham’s transfer saga, given his remarkable development at Borussia Dortmund in recent times.

Article continues under the video

Bellingham has improved greatly in his three seasons at Dortmund, even becoming a permanent fixture in Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.

A number of Europe’s top clubs are interested in the midfielder, but only a handful will be able to afford him as the Bundesliga side will demand a big fee for their star man.

But former striker Jan Aage Fjortoft thinks that there is a good chance of Bellignham staying in Germany until 2024.

''I guess Jude will make up his mind in stages,'' Fjortoft tweeted. ''First. Dortmund, Spain or England. Based on that which club will he go for?

''I can absolutely see him staying for another season at Dortmund.''

Bellingham bidding war ideal for Dortmund

Dortmund's prospects of receiving an astronomical fee for the Englishman look to be positive given the type of clubs that are involved in the race to sign him.

Man Utd are known to have impressive spending power, as they showed this summer when they splash out close to €100m to sign Antony from Ajax, while Chelsea are coming off the back of a world-record summer spending spree.

1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ appearances
1️⃣3️⃣ goals
1️⃣8️⃣ assists

Congratulations Jude! 👏 pic.twitter.com/24VcRw7wW5
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) September 17, 2022

Real Madrid, meanwhile, are in the process of renewing their midfield and spent €100m on Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni this summer, showing their willingness to spend big when the talent is available.

Of this group of clubs, only Liverpool are not known for their lavish spending, though there is a sense that if the Reds felt they were getting value for money, they would be prepared to pay if for a player who could give them a decade or more of service.

FootballTransfers values Bellingham at €74m, down from a peak of €80m in February earlier this year.