Man Utd legend Scholes predicts Bellingham's next transfer

Stuart Telford
Stuart Telford
  • 14 Apr 2023 13:46 BST
  • 3 min read
Jude Bellingham, Dortmund, 2022/23
© ProShots

Manchester United have entered the race to sign England midfielder Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, but Red Devils legend Paul Scholes doesn't think he'll sign for them.

Bellingham is one of the most in-demand players in world football at the moment, with Real Madrid and Manchester City seemingly at the front of the queue for his signature now that Liverpool have pulled out of the race for their previous top transfer target.

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"We're not children," Jurgen Klopp said of a player set to cost significantly more than €100 million this summer. "Ask a five-year-old at Christmas, 'what do you want for Christmas?' and they tell you, 'I want to have a Ferrari', you wouldn't say, 'That's a good idea.'"

READ: Bellingham 'a Ferrari at Christmas' – Klopp makes Liverpool transfer stance clear

Bellingham could yet stay at Dortmund - he is under contract at the Signal Iduna Park until June 2025 - but United's interest does now seem to be concrete.

Erik ten Hag wants to move to a 4-3-3 system next season, and Bellingham is a good tactical fit, let alone one of the brightest young players in the game.

Scholes previously occupied more than one midfield position for United, racking up 714 appearances across 18 years at the club, winning 11 Premier Leagues and two Champions Leagues along the way. He thinks the Red Devils have an outside chance.

READ: Sabitzer for €20m would be Man Utd's signing of the summer

What did Scholes say?

"I think they're contenders." He told BT Sport. "If you went back a couple of years you'd have said no chance. Even back to the start of this season.

"But now I think they have to be. He would look at this team and think this is up and coming for the next few years.

"[But] I do think he'll sign for Real Madrid - I don’' know why. I've just got that feeling."

Bellingham is valued at €100m by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm but it is understood Dortmund want between €150m and €160m for his signature.

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