Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United to do whatever it takes to acquire Jude Bellingham - just months after claiming that the club no longer had the pulling power to lure big names to Old Trafford.
Bellingham, 19, was already one of the most sought-after talents in Europe but his stock is now at an all-time high after his dazzling performances for England at the World Cup. The midfield prodigy has hit new heights since moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2020 and is expected to leave the Bundesliga outfit next summer.
Already, a host of elite European clubs have been credited with an interest in the Birmingham City academy graduate. The likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool are believed to be leading the chase for Bellingham, but that hasn't stopped Ferdinand from tipping United to snare the coveted playmaker.
Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: "Jude Bellingham has been a phenomenon at the World Cup. He has announced himself to the world now that he’s a player here to say.
"He has got so much growth, room for improvement still, but he absolutely influenced games in an England shirt like we’ve never seen a teenager do for England.
"Manchester United, bring him here. Make that your home, Jude. You come and help change shift the culture and take the club to the heights it should be at!"
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It remains to be seen if United would be viable contenders to sign Bellingham when he does leave Dortmund. It emerged on Tuesday that Real Madrid believe they have 'already won' the race for the teenager, who also has admirers at Liverpool and Manchester City.
Ferdinand admitted himself earlier this year that his old club were no longer in a position to compete for top, top players in the wake of their fall from grace.
United's fortunes have improved since the arrival of Erik ten Hag, who guided United to fourth in the Premier League rankings before the domestic campaign paused for the World Cup. However, United are currently unable to offer Champions League football following their calamitous campaign last term.
Ferdinand told The Sun back in August: “Most people have accepted Manchester United are not the powerhouses they once were in the transfer market.
“They aren’t going to a player and saying, ‘This is the badge. We have Champions League football’. The market of player that they are in for is very different.
“I don’t think United are going to the table if Kylian Mbappe becomes available. I don’t think they would have any belief that he would come. But is this current group going to be enough to move the dials? I don’t think it is.
“The story that needs to be sold to new players is that you can come and try to bring back the glory days. It is an unbelievable incentive — but the project has got to be right.”
