Man Utd's De Jong decision has big implications for Real Madrid’s Bellingham bid

Robin Bairner

Updated: 23 May 2023 08:46 CDT
3 min read

Frenkie de Jong, Jude Bellingham, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund — © ProShots

Manchester United are set to make a big decision on a transfer move for Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham that will have consequences for Real Madrid and several other leading European clubs.

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The Telegraph reports that the Old Trafford side want to continue to restructure their midfield and are interested in the 19-year-old England midfielder as well as long-time target Frenkie de Jong of Barcelona.

Man Utd will be unable to sign both players as they have numerous areas in which they want to improve their squad. The Red Devils believe that their best prospect of landing either is De Jong and they could launch another move in January, which, if successful, would effectively rule them out of the running to sign Bellingham.

An executive decision will need to be made whether to chase Netherlands star De Jong, who Ten Hag believes is his ideal solution, or the Dortmund star, who could become a mainstay of the club for years to come.

This should offer encouragement to Real Madrid over their prospects of signing Bellingham.

Real Madrid increasingly favourites for Bellingham

Although the England international, who is valued at €78 million by FootballTransfers, is wanted by a clutch of sides, it increasingly appears that Los Blancos are favourites to secure him.

Bellingham has made Champions League football next season his major priority, and it looks increasingly difficult for Liverpool, who are the other side credited with a major interest in him, securing that.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are six points off that pace in the Premier League and there is no guarantee that they will finish in the top four given competition for that bracket is particularly hot this season.

Jude Bellingham, Dortmund, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Indeed, this report suggests that the Reds were Bellingham’s preference a year ago, but with their cycle apparently coming to an end, there is now a belief that this has shifted.

The other club closely monitoring the situation is Manchester City, but they are not thought to be as seriously advanced in their interest as their rivals.

Another factor suggesting that Bellingham could be Real Madrid bound in the summer of 2023 is the feeling around Dortmund that the midfielder would prefer to move to the Spanish side.