JUDE BELLINGHAM turned down a stunning last- minute bid from Bayern Munich before sealing his £30million move to Borussia Dortmund.
The Birmingham midfielder, 17, will become the world’s most expensive teenager and has also landed a five-year deal worth £60,000-a-week.
Jude Bellingham had his pick of Germany’s top clubsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Wonderkid Bellingham was in Dortmund yesterday to complete a medical plus sign ahead of an announcement in the next few days.
SunSport can reveal that Bundesliga giants Bayern were offering to both outbid Dortmund and beat the wages on offer.
Dortmund increased their initial offer agreed with Blues but Bayern were confident of landing the hugely talented England Under-17 star.
Bellingham spoke to Bayern in those last-minute talks but felt heading to Dortmund, a club famed for giving youth — such as England winger Jadon Sancho — a chance, was a much more sensible move.
All of Europe’s top clubs wanted the kid who became Birmingham’s youngest player at 16 years and 38 days when starting a Carabao Cup first- round match at Portsmouth last August.
That broke the record set by Blues legend Trevor Francis in 1970.
Manchester United and Chelsea were the two English clubs who were prepared to spend the most money.
United rolled out the red carpet when Bellingham and his parents were invited to Carrington in March.
Even Sir Alex Ferguson was at the training ground to try to persuade the versatile ace to move to Old Trafford. But Bellingham, whose dad, Mark, is a former non-league player, believes that moving to Dortmund — like Sancho when he left Manchester City — will now help him flourish.
His St Andrew’s team-mate Jeremie Bela yesterday posted a congratulations message to Bellingham on Instagram.
Forward Bela’s message read: “Congrats baby boy @JudeBellingham.”
Bellingham flew back to England yesterday — and could still play for struggling Birmingham in their crucial Championship game at Preston tomorrow.
He joined Brum as a seven-year-old and scored on his debut for the club’s Under-23s, aged just 15.
He only turned 17 last month.
But incredibly for a player so young in midfield, he made his 42nd appearance of the season in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Charlton.
Birmingham turned down a £30m offer from Dortmund in January.
Until coronavirus struck, leaving clubs across Europe fearing for their finances, Dortmund, United and Chelsea were all prepared to pay £35m — with a further £15m in add-ons.
This season, Bellingham has played all across the midfield and even up front, scoring four goals.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
