Jude Bellingham insists he is more than happy at Borussia Dortmund and says to even think about a move to Manchester United or Liverpool would be ‘disrespectful’ to his current club.
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The 19-year-old has developed into one of the best midfielders in Europe and an England regular since joining Dortmund in 2020.
A number of clubs considered signing Bellingham while he was at Championship side Birmingham City and the likes of Man United and Liverpool remain interested in a deal despite seeing his value sky-rocket.
It was reported on Tuesday that United and Liverpool have a ‘very good chance’ of signing Bellingham next summer but the player says it would be ‘crazy’ to give serious thought to the transfer rumours.
Speaking ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League clash with Manchester City on Wednesday night, Bellingham said: ‘The club [Dortmund] have done loads for me and made me feel very welcome since I first came and gave me the opportunities to develop even further.
‘To look past that and into the future would be disrespectful.’
Asked if returning to England is a long-term ambition of his, Bellingham added: ‘It’s not something I am thinking about, to be honest.
The 19-year-old is already one of the best midfielders in Europe
The 19-year-old is already one of the best midfielders in Europe (Picture: Getty)
‘It’s a massive game against Man City. To even be thinking about something like that would be crazy.’
After Bellingham continued to impress in the Champions League last week, Owen Hargreaves and Rio Ferdinand urged Manchester United to break the bank to secure the teenager’s signature.
‘He can go wherever he wants,’ Hargreaves told BT Sport. ‘You see now the young French boys, they went to Real Madrid, that’s where everyone wants to go – Real Madrid or Barcelona because everyone wants to play attacking football.
‘He’s got to decide. To turn around a club like Manchester United and get them back to the top, I think he could carry that burden.
‘I think the young man – he’s not a defensive midfielder or a No.10, he’s just between in a No.8. He’s smart, his weight of pass is good.
‘His greatest attribute is his mentality, he loves football, he cares, got big shoulders, he’s the perfect midfield player.’
Ferdinand added: ‘It’s the bit between the ears that separates the real top, top ones.
‘They’ve all got ability, different varying levels of ability but having that mentality and that mindset, that ability to be calm under pressure, be cool, composed in those pressure situations, he seems to have it already.’
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is a known admirer of Bellingham
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is a known admirer of Bellingham (Picture: Getty)
But Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher hopes his former club win the race to sign Bellingham, telling Sky Sports: ‘Well I think the one everyone talks about is Jude Bellingham and I don’t think it’s just his ability.
‘I think it’s his age and the fact if you got him, spent big money on him, he would hopefully be at your club for a long time.
‘It’s not just Liverpool, I’m sure Man City, Man United are looking at him, all the other top clubs, when you’re buying him you’re thinking we could have a player for the next 10 or 12 years, I think that’s the thinking.
‘His ability is really good and it’s almost the potential of what he could become, could he become like Kevin de Bruyne is now basically – which is for me – the best player in the Premier League, you look at him in that midfield position and you just think, “wow”.
‘Maybe Man City are thinking he could replace De Bruyne or Liverpool could bring him in and he can add something or revolutionise Man United’s midfield.
‘I think he’s the one that stands out for everybody, I think there will be an auction next summer and I hope Liverpool win it, fingers crossed.’
