There is no doubting Jude Bellingham’s talent, but he may have to make the biggest decision of his career this summer.
Bellingham has long been linked with a move to Liverpool, but several other top clubs in England, Spain, and Germany, are also after his signature.
The English lad, still only 19, joined Borussia Dortmund in 2020 from his boyhood club, Birmingham, where he made 41 appearances.
Since then, he has played at Euro 2020 and last year’s World Cup.
Dortmund does not have to sell the midfielder as his contract ends in 2025. However, an offer upwards of £100 million may persuade it to let Bellingham go in the summer or see him leave for a cut-price deal in 2024, or for free, a year later.
Dortmund is sitting top of the Bundesliga with 53 points, one more than Bayern Munich, which suffered a surprise loss last weekend.
The Bavarian outfit has won 10 consecutive league titles, while Dortmund’s last triumph was in 2012. Helping the Ruhr club clinch the crown would be a great parting gift from Bellingham.
But why is Bellingham the top pick of Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, and possibly Bayern Munich, which has been known to buy Dortmund’s top players?
Former Dortmund boss Lucien Favre, who signed Bellingham, had no hesitation in putting the then 17-year-old into the first team.
“He thrives under pressure from opponents, always making himself available to receive, and he is bold in possession. This much was evident about Bellingham’s game from a very early age.”
Bellingham is also at ease in busy central areas, has quick feet, and produces some of his most outstanding work when he plays short, crisp passes to escape congested spaces.
He can also drop a shoulder before swerving in the opposite direction and has an extremely short turning circle, and is best suited to play in offensive midfield, where he can help break down a low-block defence.
In short, he is the perfect attacking midfielder. His youthfulness means he is a good long-term investment. Barring injuries, he could play at the top level for another 12-15 years.
Bellingham showed why several top clubs are after him when he ran the show as England defeated Italy 2-1 early this morning.
All the English media named him the Man of the Match, with the majority giving him at least an eight out of 10 rating.
Will Bellingham and Dortmund reject the suitors come June 10 when the transfer window opens, or will there be a big money move?
