BIRMINGHAM’S teen sensation Jude Bellingham is nearing a move to Borussia Dortmund, according to reports in Germany.
Manchester United and Chelsea have been strongly linked with the 16-year-old but are set to be gazumped by the Bundesliga giants.
Bellingham has become one of the Championship’s breakout stars this seasonCredit: PA:Press Association
Sport Bild report on Dortmund and Bellingham nearing an agreement over personal terms for a move in the summer.
Negotiations are also said to be underway with Championship side Birmingham over the transfer fee, which should tip £30million.
Such a deal would represent Borussia’s record transfer – which currently stands at the £27.5m spent on defender Mats Hummels last year.
But it would be far from the first time they have set their sights on youth talent having famously raised Jadon Sancho from an unknown Manchester City kid into one of the globe’s hottest properties.
And the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Robert Lewandowski and most recently Erling Haaland have all been snapped up and turned into superstars in recent years.
Bellingham has made an impressive 34 appearances since his debut in August and has a scholarship contract at Birmingham until the end of next season.
Despite that, fellow German outlet Ruhr Nachrichten believe Dortmund will not have to pay a large fee and can instead sign the player for mere training compensation.
England Under-17 international Bellingham, who is reportedly represented by his family, turns 17 in June and cannot officially put pen to paper on a professional contract until then.
With four goals and three assists in 2019/20, the teenager has shown off his versatility to feature across the midfield.
There is practically no top European side who has not been linked with a move for Bellingham over the course of the season.
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcleona and Liverpool have also been touted to bid.
Birmingham boss Pep Clotet can’t guarantee Jude Bellingham won’t join Man Utd after £30m transfer bid
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
