Man Utd 'exploring' Jude Bellingham transfer as Erik ten Hag priority identified

Manchester United are weighing up whether to make a club-record transfer for Jude Bellingham, according to a Sky Sports journalist.

Last week it emerged that Liverpool had ended their pursuit of the England international due to the transfer fee required to prize the player away from Borussia Dortmund.

Of course, Bellingham is one of the most sought-after players in world football, having attracted the attention of Chelsea, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in recent months.

And while City and Real are tipped as favourites to sign the 19-year-old, United are also thought to be exploring a deal for the player.

Bellingham turned down the Old Trafford club back in 2020 as a 16-year-old, despite United having rolled out the red carpet for the youngster when he visited the Carrington training ground.

However, it appears United may have a second bite at the cherry.

Man Utd in for Bellingham?

Sky Sports' Melissa Reddy claimed United are “exploring” a deal to sign Bellingham this summer from Borussia Dortmund.

The journalist said: “There is no need to rush through a decision when you have received sales pitches from Real Madrid, Manchester City and Liverpool, while Manchester United explore whether there is any room to manoeuvre into a hot pursuit.

“Bellingham’s priority is to continue his development at his next destination, and in his own words: 'to win way more, to continue to push the boundaries of my own potential and talent.'

“Real positioned their offer to the midfielder to become the best player in the world at the place that breeds champions.

“They told him he can become a Ballon d’Or winner and Champions League royalty and weren’t shy in pointing out that Kylian Mbappe chose wrongly by staying at Paris Saint-Germain.”

Dortmund are expected to demand as much as £130million for Bellingham, which would surpass the £89.3million club record fee United paid for Paul Pogba in 2016.

And Reddy insisted while Erik ten Hag's side may be interested, they are “unlikely to get involved in a bidding war”.

She said: “Real have feared City as their greatest threat in securing Bellingham and believe the England international wants to star in the Premier League. The defending champions are growing in confidence of securing him at the Etihad now Liverpool have now dropped out of the race.

“United’s priority this summer is enhancing their attack. They need to secure Champions League football and to sell very well in order not to fall foul of FFP.

“United are unlikely to get into a bidding war for Bellingham even though they were the first big English club to believe he was going to be a standout midfielder.”

Topics: Football, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Jude Bellingham, Transfers

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.