Manchester United target Jude Bellingham is yet to decide which club he will join this summer, despite fresh claims from Germany that he has chosen Borussia Dortmund over a high profile switch to Old Trafford.
Bellingham will turn 17 at the end of this month but he already had almost a full season of first-team football under his belt for Birmingham, and has long been on both United and Dortmund’s radar.
90min has previously informed you that United are confident about sealing a deal for the teenage sensation and believe they have done enough to persuade him and his family that a move to Manchester is the best choice. 90min understands United have felt that way for some time.
But Dortmund also seem confident of winning the race for Bellingham’s coveted signature. And despite a personal tour of United's Carrington training ground by a number of senior officials a few weeks ago, an offer from Dortmund is also on the table for consideration.
Bild’s Christian Falk claimed when asked by @utdreport that Bellingham has chosen Dortmund over United on account of clubs in the Bundesliga having a recent track record of giving young English players a chance to play – Jadon Sancho being the most famous example.
Despite what Falk has said, 90min has been told by a source that has been no word on an actual decision one way or the other yet as far as United are aware.
Where Bellingham’s very immediate future is concerned, he is likely to sign his first professional contract at Birmingham when he turns 17 in just over two weeks’ time.
That will not mark an intention to remain at St Andew’s beyond this season, rather it will protect the Championship club and ensure they can command a top transfer fee for him. As things stand, Bellingham is on scholar terms and could be poached for compensation only, making a professional contract an important part of the process so that his club aren’t left out of pocket.
In other United transfer news, Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek has been linked with the club once more this week. 90min has been told that the Dutch international is on United’s general list of targets, although he is not considered to be a priority as things stand.
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Source : 90min