The Latest on Jude Bellingham as Speculation Emerges Over 'Agreement' With Borussia Dortmund
A fresh report in Germany has reinforced that Birmingham City teenager Jude Bellingham has an agreement in place with Borussia Dortmund, amid interest from Manchester United.
The 16-year-old wonderkid rose to prominence this season with a breakout year in the Championship, registering four goals and three assists for a side that currently sits 16th in the table.
The teenager's impressive campaign led to Europe's elite taking notice, with Dortmund and United emerging as the two favourites for Bellingham's signature.
German news outlet Sport Bild have published the information, though it's seemingly come with the intention of filling column inches. Bellingham's agreement with Dortmund has been reported over the last few weeks and established for some time - though the kicker has been Get Football News Germany reporting that BVB and Birmingham also have an agreement in place for a transfer.
SportWitness, having combed through the story at source, state in their translation that "the report does not mention anything about an agreement with Birmingham City specifically, or the potential size of transfer fee or compensation required" - so it seems the gun has been jumped.
It just confirms that the deal certainly isn't final. Earlier this month, 90min exclusively revealed United were increasingly confident of adding Bellingham to their ranks.
Both front-runners United and Dortmund were willing to pay up to £30m for Bellingham's services back when their respective interests were first known. However, as a result of the financial implications brought along by COVID-19, that fee will likely drop somewhat.
The Red Devils are huge admirers of the teen and are ready to offer him a spot in the first-team squad as soon as he joins. The club have been impressed by Bellingham's versatility and capacity to play several midfield roles to a high standard.
They see him as a key spoke in the British core United want to implement in their squad - highlighted by the additions of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Daniel James last summer - and their current supposed pursuit of Jack Grealish among other British targets.
If Bellingham was to make the switch to Dortmund, the 16-year-old would be following in the footsteps of pioneer Jadon Sancho - another United target - who rose to unthinkable stardom after making the switch to Westfalenstadion when he was just 17.
BVB's track record in terms of nurturing and developing youngsters is superb; with Giovanni Reyna (17) and, of course, Erling Braut Haaland (19) being another two teens who've recently shone in yellow and black.