Transfer Centre

Erik ten Hag 'identifies Jude Bellingham as Manchester United's leading transfer target'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 02 November 2022

Ten Hag 'identifies Bellingham as Man United's leading transfer target'

Manchester United are determined to win the race for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham next summer, according to a report.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham is reportedly Manchester United's leading transfer target for next summer.

The Red Devils were strongly linked with the youngster in the summer of 2020, but Dortmund ultimately won the race to sign him from Birmingham City.

Bellingham has made 109 appearances for BVB since his arrival, contributing 19 goals and 20 assists in the process, including nine goals and two assists in 19 outings during the 2022-23 campaign.

The 19-year-old still has another three years left to run on his contract, but he is widely expected to be on the move next summer in a deal that could be worth in excess of £100m.

A number of the world's biggest clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid, are believed to be determined to sign the midfielder during next summer's transfer window.

England's Jude Bellingham pictured on September 26, 2022 © Reuters

However, according to The Mirror, Man United are desperate to win the race for his signature, with the club's head coach Erik ten Hag identifying him as the leading target for next summer.

The report claims that the 20-time English champions know that they will have to secure Champions League football for next season in order to stand a chance of bringing him to Old Trafford.

Man United are currently fifth in the Premier League table, one point behind fourth-placed Newcastle United, while they could also secure top-level European football for next season by winning the Europa League.

A recent report claimed that BVB value Bellingham in the region of £130m, with the club expected to sell him next summer providing that they are happy with the fee.

Bellingham has scored four times and registered one assist in five Champions League appearances for his German club during the 2022-23 campaign.

Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring for Borussia Dortmund on October 5, 2022 © Reuters

Meanwhile, he has made 12 appearances in the Bundesliga, scoring three times and providing one assist, while the youngster has captained his German club on two separate occasions this term.

Man United spent big on Casemiro last summer, having switched their attention to the Real Madrid midfielder following their failed pursuit of Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong.

The club are now allegedly eyeing another big-money midfield recruit, with Bellingham viewed by Ten Hag as the perfect player for the next part of the rebuild at Old Trafford.

The former Birmingham youngster is widely expected to be named in the England squad for the upcoming World Cup and is also believed to be in a strong position to feature in Gareth Southgate's first XI.

Man United are also likely to be in the market for a new centre-forward next summer, with Cristiano Ronaldo set to depart the Red Devils when his contract expires.