Bellingham becomes most expensive 17-year-old in history after joining Bundesliga runners-up
Monday 20 July 2020 18:20, UK
After Jude Bellingham's move from Birmingham to Borussia Dortmund was confirmed on Monday, James Cooper examines why he has been added to the list of players who "got away" from Manchester United...
Ultimately, it came down to a decision between Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.
In their attempts to sign the teenager, United rolled out the red carpet for Bellingham and his family, who were impressed by their tour of the Aon Training Complex at Carrington, which featured an audience with Sir Alex Ferguson.
United coaches and recruitment staff had been monitoring the midfielder's development for almost two years and, in doing so, built a close relationship with his family and their coaching counterparts at Birmingham City, who have forged a reputation for producing impressive young players.
Given that Bellingham had played 37 times for Birmingham's first team before his 17th birthday on June 29, already stands at 6ft tall and shone wearing the No 22 shirt in the heart of the midfield in one of Europe's most competitive leagues, it is easy to understand why his name was on the wish-lists of some of the biggest clubs in world football.
Birmingham and Bellingham could have made more financially from the player staying in England and relocating to Old Trafford but, while he would have been part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad next season, the competition for places would have been fierce.
The fact that Paul Pogba looks destined to remain in Manchester would limit opportunities even further, with the likes of Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic and Fred all seemingly fighting for the one remaining spot in midfield beside the Frenchman and Bruno Fernandes.
If Solskjaer decided to add another midfielder this summer - and Jack Grealish has been extensively monitored - then suddenly the question Jude Bellingham and his family would have been asking themselves - "where are we likely to get more playing time?" - has a more straightforward answer.
Next season the priority for Manchester United is getting themselves back in the hunt for a Premier League title and, while youngsters are part of their DNA, as demonstrated this season, the first team is all about players who can deliver success now.
Borussia Dortmund have 'previous' when it comes to the development of English talent. Jadon Sancho also moved to the club as a 17-year-old and in the last three years has made 74 starts, scoring 34 goals on his journey to becoming one of the hottest talents in Europe.
Bellingham and his advisors would have looked at Sancho as the blueprint for what might come next and I am told their decision to plump for the Bundesliga over the Premier League is all down to playing time for the teenager and they believe he will get more of that at Dortmund.
While no one at Manchester United has said it explicitly, do not rule out Jude Bellingham ending up in Germany as part of a process that sees Sancho move to Old Trafford.
It does not mean that any deal is done, because the impression I am given is that the negotiations will need to be creative due to the coronavirus situation and there is still the small matter of United actually securing a spot in the Champions League. That could potentially drag on deep into August if they have to win the Europa League to do it.
Some Manchester United fans may be wondering why they have not managed to sign Bellingham, but those same supporters would be placated by the arrival of someone of the calibre of Sancho, who is still only aged 20.
Those fans are also watching the emergence of their very own superstar in Mason Greenwood, an 18-year-old whose rapid progress has pleasantly surprised those at Carrington - a case of rich potential being fulfilled in the first-team spotlight.
Add Manchester's newest doctor, Marcus Rashford, as well as McTominay and Brandon Williams to the picture and the situation looks bright, with Solskjaer already looking at the next academy recruits to give opportunities to.
Jude Bellingham may have chosen not to move to Manchester United at this stage of his young career but United's pursuit of him and the admiration they have shown him may stand them in good stead further on down the line.
