Jude Bellingham given four reasons to reject Liverpool transfer and join Man Utd by insistent Rio Ferdinand
Jude Bellingham has been told in no uncertain terms to reject a move to Liverpool this summer with four factors now underlining why a move to Manchester United now holds more appeal.
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is emerging as one of the world’s most in-demand players. He is part of the BVB that side that has now won eight straight Bundesliga games and now has genuine hopes of ending Bayern Munich’s lengthy run as champions.
And if he is to leave the Westfalenstadion this summer, then he will not be short of suitors. And while Dortmund will reportedly command a fee of around £132m (€150m), a number of clubs are seemingly queueing up to land his signing.
That chase is seemingly led by Liverpool, who are in desperate need to revitalise their midfield. With Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain moving on, Jurgen Klopp is hoping Liverpool can get their hands on the teenager.
However, competition is extremely tough with both Real Madrid and Manchester City also hot on his trail.
But lately, Manchester United have once again been mentioned as potential suitors.
Erik ten Hag’s side have made remarkable strides under the Dutchman this season. And the Red Devils look like they can again become a dominant force in the English and European game once again.
To further their chances, United are again expected to spend big this summer. And to generate even more transfer funds, a report this week claims seven players could be sold this summer as the club bids farewell to £253m worth of talent.
The United boss will, as a result, focus on quality over quantity as he looks to strengthen his squad.
READ MORE: Man Utd must sell to buy? What Ten Hag’s Carabao Cup winners might fetch and where they could go…
Jude Bellingham urged to snub Liverpool and join Man Utd
Ten Hag’s top priority will be a new centre forward with Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen both featuring on his list of targets.
But they will also reportedly seek to sign a new midfielder too as they seek a regular partner for Casemiro.
United have utilised all of Christian Eriksen, Fred and Scott McTominay alongside the Brazilian. However, the United boss sees room for improvement there and has again been linked with Frenkie de Jong.
But both Bellingham and his England teammate Declan Rice also remain options. And now Ferdinand is adamant both players would favour a move to Old Trafford over a stagnating Liverpool side.
“If you put the two teams on a graph, Manchester United are going in one direction and Liverpool have stagnated,” Ferdinand told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I wouldn’t say Liverpool are in decline, but other teams are catching them up and maybe going beyond them. If I’m a player, say Jude Bellingham or Declan Rice – two of the most in-demand English midfielders that may get moves this summer – and someone says, ‘Manchester United or Liverpool, where are you going?’, forget my Manchester United ties, I have to go with United right now.”
Ferdinand reckons United now look a better side, boast a better squad and also have a manager on the rise. Perhaps most crucially, he also sees Manchester United as offering a better chance to win silverware.
“The way the team looks, the way the squad is shaping up, the way the managers are navigating their teams’ fortunes and who I see being more successful in the upcoming future – I really would be sitting on the side of United.”
Bellingham won’t be sold on the cheap
Deals for either player are likely to set United back a fee of at least £100m. However, any move for Rice comes with a warning from Roy Keane, who has savaged the player and claims he has gone backwards this season.
And while the younger of the two, many feel Bellingham would offer better quality and more longevity.
However, BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl is determined to retain Bellingham’s services. And he is adamant that they are yet to receive any offers for his services.
“Jude feels very comfortable at Borussia Dortmund, but we haven’t had conversations yet and haven’t received offers for him,” Kehl told BILD last month.
“He still has two more years of contract and is a very important piece of this team. That’s why I naturally wish that he would play for BVB longer.”
Rice, meanwhile, will cost a fee in excess of the British record Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez according to David Moyes.
“I don’t know if I need to say the words. I think you can say the words if you watched it the way I saw it,” Moyes said.
“Undoubtedly Declan is going to be a top player. And undoubtedly he’ll be a British transfer record and more whenever he leaves West Ham.”
