It sounds like Jude Bellingham is certain to leave Borussia Dortmund next summer following comments made by club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.
Almost every major European club is being linked with a swoop for Bellingham this summer, including Manchester United, who previously missed out on his signature because the midfielder opted to join Borussia Dortmund after being guaranteed first team football.
Bellingham, 19, has since gone to establish himself as one of the brightest midfield prospects in World Cup. Along with that he is going to the World Cup after making Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad, although his inclusion was never in doubt.
However, it sounds like Dortmund are preparing themselves for another profit-making sale of English talent, with Hans-Joachim Watzke addressing the situation around Bellingham’s future.
Watzke told Bild TV (via Fabrizio Romano): “After Qatar, we’ll have a discussion about what Jude actually wants. He should just tell us whether he wants to stay or leave.
“If the really big clubs are involved, then we can’t afford to have a fight financially.”
BVB CEO Watzke on Bellingham: “After Qatar, we’ll have a discussion about what Jude actually wants. He should just tell us whether he wants to stay or leave”, tells Bild TV. 🚨🟡⚫️ #BVB
“If the really big clubs are involved, then we can’t afford to have a fight financially”. pic.twitter.com/bgM94txH4X
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 13, 2022
It sounds like Dortmund are accepting that Bellingham is likely to move on next summer and they know how to prepare for that, after waving goodbye to players like Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland in recent years.
Other clubs reportedly in the race for Bellingham’s signature include Liverpool, Man City and Real Madrid.
Wayne Rooney is a fan of Bellingham
Speaking to talkSPORT about the teenager, Rooney said: “I played against Bellingham when he was at Birmingham and I was at Derby.
“And he actually man-marked me during the game, I think he was about 16, maybe just 17, and what I really liked about him is every time I passed the ball off, he’d leave a stud in on me.
“And I remember thinking, ‘he’s got something about him’, and just to show the character to go out to Germany and take that league by storm.
“That mentality to perform, obviously he’s been captain in quite a few of the games as well, he’s going to be a huge player for England.
“Just that mentality, even though he’s young, he can put some of that character into some of the rest of the squad in my eyes.”
Rooney went on to urge United to sign Bellingham, adding: “I hope so! I hope he doesn’t go to Liverpool or [Manchester] City!
“But I’m sure they’re doing their work, he’s probably the hottest youngster in world football at the minute.
“I’m sure United are looking at that as well, I know they tried to get him a couple of years ago, so I’d hope so.
“He’s a player that United could really do with at the minute.”
Let us know in the comments section if you think United should sign Bellingham next summer.
