Transfer gossip: Bellingham blow for Man Utd, City, Liverpool; Red Devils monitor Portugal star
Borussia Dortmund don’t see Jude Bellingham’s departure as a done deal and the England star could stay beyond next summer. Also: a new contract is to be signed at United…
BELLINGHAM COULD RENEW DORTMUND DEAL
With the queue of clubs lining up at Borussia Dortmund’s door, the assumption has long been that Jude Bellingham will be on the move next summer.
Liverpool want him, perhaps as FSG’s last act; Manchester United have supposedly made him their primary target; while Manchester City fancy themselves after talks with the teenager’s representatives. That’s not to mention interest from Real Madrid.
But at Dortmund, they are not yet resigned to losing the England star. Indeed, according to 90min, the Germans ‘fully believe that Bellingham isn’t determined to leave this summer, and that the chances of him staying are good’.
Indeed, there is hope of tying the midfielder down to a new deal, one with a release clause scheduled for 2024, similar to the terms that allowed Erling Haaland to leave Dortmund last summer.
MAN UTD TO WATCH PORTUGAL STOPPER
United may have made Bellingham their primary target but there remain other priorities too. A centre-forward for one; and Erik ten Hag needs to address his goalkeeping options.
David De Gea is reaching the end of his contract next summer and while United have the option to extend those terms, it is by no means certain they will. The Spaniard is on huge wages and Ten Hag is yet to be convinced that De Gea can be his long-term No.1.
There have been reports that De Gea is winning over the manager, but United are covering their bases by scouting possible replacements.
One of the names most heavily linked with the Red Devils is Diogo Costa. The Porto goalkeeper has been in outstanding form this season, especially in the Champions League having saved three penalties through the group stage.
Costa has recently signed a contract extension with Porto but that isn’t deterring United. Nicolo Schira reckons the deal has a buy-out clause and Ten Hag’s scouts will monitor the keeper during the World Cup, when he will battle Jose Sa and Rui Patricio for the Portugal mitts.
GARNACHO DEAL INCOMING
United twice came from behind on Thursday night to beat Villa and ease into the Carabao Cup last 16 where they will face Burnley. One of the highlights of their win was a cameo appearance from Alejandro Garnacho, who came off the bench to claim a couple of assists.
Garnacho has made the breakthrough into United’s first team this season after failing to impress on the pre-season tour. But the Argentina youngster has straightened out his attitude, got his head down, and worked his way back into Ten Hag’s plans.
The teenager’s terms at Old Trafford are due to expire next summer and, obviously, there are plenty of European clubs monitoring the situation. But Sky Germany says a contract extension is coming and ‘it’s only a matter of time’.
Read more: World Cup squads: latest news on who’s going to Qatar, and when we’ll discover who’s not…
