According to a recent report by The Daily Star, Manchester United are ready to offer Birmingham City teenager Jude Bellingham a long-term contract worth almost £100,000-a-week to fend off interest from Borussia Dortmund. The same source has also revealed that the English midfielder is currently earning £150-a-week but will be free to sign a professional contract when he turns 17 later this summer.
Bellingham’s Recent Emergence At The St. Andrew’s
Penning a 100-grand-a-week deal will make him one of the highest-paid teenagers in world football so a lot will be expected of him if he ends up moving to Old Trafford. Despite his young age, the English prospect has already managed to break out as a first-team starter in Pep Clotet’s first-team.
Bellingham has played in 35 matches for the Blues this term, scoring four goals while providing three assists in all competitions. Now that he has started to be productive in the final third, it is no wonder that so many top clubs are lining up to land him this summer.
The 16-year-old can do a bit of everything at the centre of the park as evidenced by his average of 2.3 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 1.0 clearances, 1.2 shots, 0.7 key passes and 1.1 dribbles per game in the English Championship (stats via whoscored). He has also represented England at different youth levels and is currently playing a vital role for the Three Lions’ Under-17 team, having netted two goals in three matches for them thus far.
What Are The English Whizkid’s Best Attributes?
Bellingham has often been used as a central midfielder but can also operate out on the wide positions in midfield if required. He is not shy about getting stuck in with a few challenges to win the ball back for his team. The Birmingham prospect has a good football IQ and is also a potent threat from long range. As mentioned earlier, he has three assists to his name so far this season which highlights the creative side of his game going forward.
Man United Ready To Offer Bellingham A £100,000-a-week Deal: Right Decision By Solskjaer?
There is no doubt that the Red Devils have the financial power to blow Dortmund out of the race to sign Bellingham. However, offering someone so young, such a lucrative contract could undeniably come back to haunt Man United in the long-run, especially if the player fails to live up to his potential. If all goes well, the English starlet will improve Solskjaer’s midfield options at the Theatre of Dreams. However, he might need some time to get used to the pace and physicality of Premier League football.
Bellingham’s addition will freshen things up for the Mancunian outfit at the middle of the park so that they have some healthy competition for places heading into the new campaign. He has all the makings to become one of the greats of English football and will be expected to give the likes of Scott McTominay, Fred and Nemanja Matic a run for their money in the race for one of the midfield spots in Solskjaer’s first XI. All in all, Man United should try everything they can to lure Bellingham to Old Trafford this summer. However, offering him £100,000-a-week is insane, and could very well create resentment from many of the squad members at United.
