Bellingham explains easy choice to ‘ignore’ joining ‘great’ Man Utd team

Jude Bellingham says a move to Manchester United did not enter his thought process as soon as Borussia Dortmund showed interest in him.

The 17-year-old became one of English football’s most sought-after youngsters while at former club Birmingham. Indeed, after making an astonishing first-team rise, he received a plethora of interest in January.

And while a winter move failed to materialise, the list of potential suitors did not wane in number or stature. As well as Dortmund, United continued their interest in the recent market.

However, Bellingham eventually opted to move to Germany, a move which he has said was easy to make.

Asked by The Telegraph about the interest from Old Trafford, the teenager said: “Well, you know, Man United have a great squad but my decision had nothing to do with Man United.

“I was so focused and so happy with the interest from Dortmund that this became my first choice. For me, it was Borussia Dortmund and that’s it.

“When you find somewhere that’s the best place to be, you kind of ignore everything else, you know what I mean?”

Bellingham’s exciting move has not only propelled his potential on the domestic stage. Indeed, his transfer earned him a fast-track to England’s Under-21 setup.

The midfielder has the chance to unlock that potential in a Dortmund side boasting some of European football’s most exciting talent. Elsewhere in midfield, promising 17-year-old American Giovanni Reyna has also impressed.

Further forward, meanwhile, Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho, both 20, have also shown stunning form.

Sancho was recently another top target for United, who refused to pay his £108million exit fee. Haaland, meanwhile, has scored 24 goals in 27 games for the Bundesliga club.

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Haaland tipped for Liverpool move

Meanwhile, RB Salzburg chief Cristoph Freund says Haaland will end up at Liverpool in the future.

The Norwegian sensation shot to fame with Austrian club Salzburg, scoring at Anfield in the Champions League last season.

And while his immediate future remains in Germany, Freund is confident the striker will move to the Reds.

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