Old Trafford bound?- Manchester United eye stunning swoop for Bellingham as PL rivals circle

Jobe Bellingham signed for Dortmund in a €33m (£28m) move from Sunderland in the recently concluded summer window. This was supposedly a move where he was following in the footsteps of older brother Jude. But while Jude ended up becoming a star during his time at the Westfalenstadion, Jobe has found that life in the Bundesliga is not as easy as his brother made it seem.

The teenager has accumulated only 187 minutes of football in the league this season. These numbers only amounted into three starts to his name. And this headline inability to get himself a place in the regular eleven for Niko Kovac & Co. hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Recently German legend Dietmar Hamann came through with some harsh criticism for Jobe. He said:

“Young, expensive and, so far, not even half as good as Jude Bellingham. It’s not getting any easier for him.”

Jobe right for Amorim system?

In spite of his difficulties with Dortmund, Amorim is said to still admire what Jobe brings to the table.

From what we did see from him at Sunderland, he has this strength and calmness on the ball that would make him an effortless addition to United’s midfield rotation. But then it is to be seen if he can replicate his Black Cats form with United.

The Manchester Reds do need a midfield rejuvenation at the moment given that Casemiro is getting older and Kobbie Mainoo is unexpectedly out of favour. And in Jobe, United are looking ahead to future-proofing the middle of the park.

United did try to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton during the summer transfer window. But the move didn’t come through, given his massive £115m valuation. And in Jobe, United has a smart alternative (with a huge risk given his performances in Germany).

Palace want Jobe as well

That being said, United are not the only club who are interested in his signature. Crystal Palace are also said to be in the running, with fears at Selhurst Park increasing that Adam Wharton could be poached by a Champions League powerhouse in the next window.

That would make Bellingham a prime target for the Eagles as well, especially given that he comes with Premier League-ready abilities.

WAFU opinion

If we start looking at him and his current situation in Germany with Dortmund, Jobe Bellingham doesn’t appear to be the answer to this midfield crisis at Old Trafford. And then he is also inexperienced and is struggling with his first steps among the elites.

But then this is kind of a risk that we have seen other Big Six clubs take during their building phases. Not overpaying for players already at their best, but instead finding supporting younger prospects with promise. It is much similar to the opportunities that United missed with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Moises Caicedo, or Enzo Fernandez.

If Jobe is available at a reasonable price and if Amorim believes that he can fit his system, then United should absolutely be in for him.