According to reports, Man Utd have a ‘secret weapon’ who could boost their hopes of beating Real Madrid in the race to sign Jude Bellingham.
The Englishman is attracting interest from several clubs heading into this summer’s transfer window.
Liverpool were once considered among the favourites to sign the midfielder but they have pulled out of the race. This comes as his value has skyrocketed to around £130m following his immense form at the World Cup.
This leaves the likes of Man City and Real Madrid to fight for Bellingham who, according to Harry Redknapp, has decided that he wants to move to Spain.
“He’s amazing you know, and I heard that he wants to go to Real Madrid, that’s what I’ve heard from a very, very good source close to him,” Redknapp said via the Beyond The Pitch podcast.
“I’ve heard he wants to go to Real Madrid, Liverpool seem to have dropped out of the race, so that leaves Man City or Chelsea, but the rumour is he wants to go to Real Madrid.”
Man Utd tried to sign Bellingham prior to his move to Dortmund. Last month, it was reported that they are ‘exploring’ whether they can acquire him this summer.
Now a report from The Daily Mail claims Matt Hargreaves may be a ‘secret weapon’ for Man Utd if they pursue a deal for Bellingham.
‘Manchester United may have a secret weapon in the race for Jude Bellingham.
‘Matt Hargreaves was announced last month as the spearhead for the club’s football negotiations.
‘Hargreaves is joining from Adidas, where he looked after a number of major clients for the German sportswear giant — including the England midfielder.’
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Bellingham is under contract until 2025 so he could opt to remain at Dortmund this summer. Liverpool are understood to be ‘hoping’ that he stays in the Bundesliga until next year so they can try to sign him for a lower fee.
A report over the weekend from Christian Falk claimed Dortmund are ‘slowly getting annoyed’ with Bellingham’s situation.
‘BVB is slowly getting annoyed with the situation surrounding Jude Bellingham. The club wants to plan security for the coming season,’ Falk wrote for Caught Offside.
‘Bellingham is said to have to decide whether to extend his contract at Dortmund until 2026 (with a €150m release clause) or finally say he wants to leave in the summer.
‘But then he also has to present a club that pays over €130m for him. Dortmund then wants to be able to invest the money in the search for new players. Sports director Sebastian Kehl and Bellingham’s father Mark are in talks.’
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