Man Utd given free run at £30m midfielder as Dortmund back down

Man Utd have seemingly been given a boost in their pursuit of Jude Bellingham as Borussia Dortmund have reportedly put their summer transfer plans ‘on ice’.

The Birmingham midfield starlet is being chased by both clubs ahead of a proposed £30million switch at the end of the current campaign.

United have already gone to great lengths to persuade the 16-year-old to move to Old Trafford, even showing him round the club’s training facilities with legendary figure Sir Alex Ferguson.

But despite their best efforts and Bellingham’s preference to remain in England, Dortmund were still being considered favourites to land the versatile youngster.

However, their sporting director Michael Zorc has now admitted the club face an uncertain period in the transfer market due to the coronavirus outbreak.

“This summer will be unpleasant,” Zorc told German publication Kicker, via the Daily Mirror. “After all, we don’t know when to start playing again

“There is a lot of uncertainty in all clubs. We first have to manage this crisis situation.”

Dortmund are now unsure what their transfer strategy will be in the off-season, which gives United a clear advantage in the race for Bellingham.

 

 

United were beaten to the signing of Norwegian goalscoring sensation Erling Haaland by Dortmund in January, and the Red Devils are said to be determined not to lose out to the Bundesliga outfit again.

Meanwhile, United are preparing to sign Odion Ighalo for up to £15million this summer, according to a report.

The 30-year-old striker was a last-gasp deadline-day signing in January, arriving from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua on loan until the end of the season. Read more…