Wayne Rooney has urged Manchester United to join Chelsea in the race to sign Jude Bellingham. The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League for some time now as he continues to impress for club and country.
Bellingham has been subject to long-term interest from the Blues, football.london understands. The west Londoners watched the Borussia Dortmund star during his time as an academy player at Birmingham City but, after failing to act on their interest, the German giants swooped in and signed the teenage sensation instead.
With Todd Boehly in the market for a new midfielder amid the uncertain futures of N'Golo Kante and Jorginho, Chelsea are one of several top-flight sides eager to acquire Bellingham's signature, according to The Athletic. And, Rooney has explained why he would like to see his former side to throw their hat in the ring.
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Speaking on Friday’s talkSPORT Breakfast show, England's all-time top goal-scorer recalled the time when he came up against Bellingham. Rooney said: "I played against Bellingham when he was at Birmingham and I was at Derby.
"And he actually man-marked me during the game, I think he was about 16, maybe just 17, and what I really liked about him is every time I passed the ball off, he’d leave a stud in on me. And I remember thinking, ‘he’s got something about him’, and just to show the character to go out to Germany and take that league by storm.
"That mentality to perform, obviously he’s been captain in quite a few of the games as well, he’s going to be a huge player for England," Rooney added. "Just that mentality, even though he’s young, he can put some of that character into some of the rest of the squad in my eyes."
Then, when quizzed on whether the Red Devils should table a bid, he added: "I hope so! I hope he doesn’t go to Liverpool or [Manchester] City!
"But I’m sure they’re doing their work, he’s probably the hottest youngster in world football at the minute. I’m sure United are looking at that as well, I know they tried to get him a couple of years ago, so I’d hope so. He’s a player that United could really do with at the minute."
The Athletic claim that Manchester City are one of the many clubs rivalling the Blues for the Englishman, who has been valued at €150million (£131m). And, Pep Guardiola's side are believed to have a strong relationship with Dortmund which could hand them a huge advantage in negotiations. Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail has stated that it's likely Bellingham 'ends up' at the Etihad Stadium.
Even more reason for United to now plot a move and heed Rooney's advice - although potentially at the expense of Chelsea!
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