Woodward drags Man Utd back into Bellingham race with talks planned

Manchester United are not out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham, with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward planning talks with Birmingham over a summer deal, according to reports.

The 16-year-old has become hot property in recent weeks after a stunning breakthrough season in the Championship which has caught the eye of clubs across Europe.

United and Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund have both reportedly registered serious interest but it has been claimed that the German side are set to land a deal for the midfielder.

The latest update from The Athletic has reaffirmed that Dortmund interest but insisted that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are still in the hunt.

The source says that Dortmund have agreed a fee and a salary for Bellingham, but adds that Woodward and United‘s head of corporate development, Matt Judge, are working on a deal to pip the German side to the signing.

Indeed, it is also said that Woodward is in the final stages of preparing a package that he believes will tempt Bellingham and Birmingham to change tack and stay in England.

The report continues by saying that Bellingham, currently an England Under-17 international, is in line to receive a promotion on the international stage.

It is claimed that Under-20s boss Paul Simpson and Under-21s head coach Aidy Boothroyd have held discussions about moving the youngster up a level, with the prospect of him featuring in this summer’s Under-17s and Under-19s European Championships also looming.

Another side to have been loosely linked with a move for Bellingham is Liverpool, but former Reds winger Steve McManaman has outlined that the club’s current plethora of young talent – and the player’s rising fee – will see Jurgen Klopp avoid a move.

 

 

In other news, Tottenham striker Harry Kane has reportedly set his sights on a move to Old Trafford if he decides to move away from North London this summer.

Previous reports have claimed that England captain Kane will consider his future if Jose Mourinho fails to guide Spurs to next season’s Champions League.

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