MANCHESTER UNITED have a secret weapon which could be key to winning the race for Jude Bellingham.
The England international is attracting attention from some of the biggest clubs around Europe and is expected to leave in the summer.
Borussia Dortmund have slapped a £130million asking price on the midfielder which has deterred Liverpool’s interest, but United are still in the running.
And United could hold a secret weapon in the form of new director of football negotiations Chris Hargreaves, according to the Daily Mail.
The former Adidas executive was appointed last month following the departure of Matt Judge last year.
Hargreaves will be negotiating deals for the club and it’s been reported he has accepted terms with United and will start before the summer transfer window.
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He previously worked as a marketing director at Adidas and focused on players and scouting, and he looked after several major clients – including Bellingham.
And United will hope that gives them the upper hand in the battle to sign the 19-year-old.
It comes amid reports Real Madrid are set to send officials to Germany in an attempt to lure Bellingham to the club.
They are understood to have a “direct” line of communication with the former Birmingham star.
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Manchester City are also keen on the wonderkid and began making efforts to sign him last October.
The club invited Bellingham into the dressing room following a 0-0 draw with Dortmund and presented him with a shirt signed by Erling Haaland.
Pep Guardiola has reportedly made signing Bellingham his priority and City are confident of winning a bidding war that could also see Chelsea battle for his signature.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
