According to a recent report by The Sun, Manchester United are confident about their chances of acquiring the services of Birmingham City youngster Jude Bellingham after charming the player during his visit of the Carrington training complex last month. A source close to the Red Devils said (via The Sun),
“We felt that he was blown away with what he was shown and what was said to him by all.
“We believe he was impressed with what we can offer. We have a duty of care to young players and want to develop them.”
It is believed that Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hoping to sign the English prospect in an initial £35m deal which could rise to £50m based on add ons (via The Sun). However, the same source has also mentioned that Birmingham are eager to get Bellingham back on a season-long loan deal even if he seals a permanent move away from the club this summer.
Bellingham’s Majestic Rise At The St. Andrew’s
The English whizkid has been showered with a lot of praise after he managed to break out as a first-team starter at the West Midlands club. He has put in a string of eye-catching displays at the heart of Pep Clotet’s midfield this season. Bellingham has been involved in 35 matches for the Blues this term, netting four goals and providing three assists on all fronts which showcase his growing influence at the St. Andrew’s.
The 16-year-old has slowly established himself as a complete midfielder after averaging 2.3 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 1.0 clearances, 1.2 shots, 0.7 key passes and 1.1 dribbles per 90 minutes in the EFL Championship this season (stats via whoscored). His numbers have been nothing short of sensational for a player who is still not eligible to sign a professional contract.
Bellingham has also represented England at various youth levels and is destined to play a crucial role for his homeland in the years to come. He is currently an important member of the Three Lions’ Under-17 side, having registered two goals in three appearances for them thus far.
What Are The Championship Sensation’s Best Attributes?
Bellingham is primary a central midfielder but is versatile enough to fill in as a wide player if required. He is always willing to cover a lot of ground at the centre of the park so that he can get himself into an ideal position to win the ball back or make a vital clearance for his team. The Birmingham whizkid is also a decent distributor of the ball and has shown this season that he can pick out a killer pass in the final third.
The talented teenager is also a potent goal-threat from midfield. However, his game is still a bit rough around the edges, so he needs to concentrate on improving himself in the training ground if he wants to become a household name in English football someday.
Is Bellingham A Star In The Making At Old Trafford?
Man United have the financial resources to win the race to land Bellingham this summer. His acquisition will provide some much-needed competition for the likes of Scott McTominay, Fred and Nemanja Matic so that they are always on their toes when it comes to getting selected in Solskjaer’s starting XI.
At 16, Bellingham has proven himself to be an invaluable commodity for Birmingham, so there is no doubt that he is destined to achieve great success if he can continue getting better with each season. He could undeniably be the next star in the making if he decides to seal a move to the Theatre of Dreams this summer. The Stourbridge-born midfielder will get the luxury of using the world-class facilities at Carrington which might help him hone his skills over the next few years so that he can become a future star in the Premier League.
