Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann has publicly praised Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham, who has been a long-term transfer target for Liverpool.
Nagelsmann has claimed that Bellingham – a rival at Bundesliga level – and his own club’s star Jamal Musiala were more deserving winners of this year’s Kopa Trophy – presented to the best performing player under the age of 21 – at the Ballon d’Or awards than Gavi, who claimed the gong.
Liverpool have been credited with an interest in Bellingham on a number of occasions in the past, with Jurgen Klopp thought to be a big fan. Meanwhile, rivals Manchester City and Manchester United are also apparently admirers of the reported £83million-rated Englishman. However, Real Madrid have emerged as frontrunners for his signature next summer.
Nagelsmann’s words appear to carry a significant amount of weight as he goes out of his way to deliberately praise an opposition player and claiming that, alongside his own young star, was operating at the top of his game at that age level.
As quoted by Marca, the Bayern boss said: "Of course one has the club's glasses on, but generally I also have my own opinion. I do not agree with that vote. In my In my opinion, Jamal (Musiala) and Jude Bellingham have had a better season than the winner. From my point of view, they are both ahead of Gavi."
Musiala did make a podium finish in the awards, ranking in third spot behind the winner Gavi with Eduardo Camavinga – who joined Real Madrid from Rennes a year ago – ranking second. Bellingham finished fourth in the ten-player shortlist, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain full-back Nuno Mendes.
Have Your Say! Which club should Bellingham decide to join next year? Tell us what you think here.
Nagelsmann did add of Gavi, who has impressed for Barca and Spain since his senior debut a year ago: "He is a great footballer, with a lot of talent. The award was not undeserved. He has an extremely winning mentality for your age."
The race for Bellingham’s signature is continuing to hot up with a summer exit from Dortmund appearing to be increasingly likely – with the German club open to selling the star this summer, a year after Erling Haaland left the club for Manchester City. Several of the continent’s leading clubs are continuing to monitor the midfielder’s situation with performances for club and country continuing to excel.
