Man Utd and Chelsea miss out on Jude Bellingham transfer to Dortmund despite 16-year-old already visiting Carrington
MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea have been dealt a massive blow with Jude Bellingham agreeing to join Borussia Dortmund, according to reports.
United pulled out all the stops to land the 16-year-old Birmingham midfielder, including a special trip to Carrington.
But his decision to snub them is another bitter blow for Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who also lost out on Erling Haaland to the Bundesliga side.
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say Dortmund are expected to announce Bellingham's arrival in the next few days after signing him for around £20million.
The teenager - who currently earns a scholar's wage of £145 per week - has his heart set on moving to Germany because he wants to follow in the footsteps of England star Jadon Sancho.
The Dortmund sensation could become Bellingham's new team-mate if he also snubs the advances of United to remain with the club.
Bellingham - whose younger brother is also being targeted by United - cannot sign a professional contract until he turns 17 on June 29.
He is set to finish the Championship season with Birmingham, who drew 0-0 with West Brom on Saturday in their first game back since the coronavirus break.
Solskjaer had hoped to sign Bellingham in January.
And their advances continued into March with the behind-the-scenes visit to the club's HQ.
But Dortmund boss Lucien Favre swooped and used the club's reputation for promoting top young talent to the Champions League as a key bargaining tool.
The promise of regular game time in the Bundesliga was also thought to swing it in their favour.
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Bellingham will have seen Haaland's electrifying start to life since completing his £18m move.
The 19-year-old striker scored 13 goals in his first 14 league appearances.
Bellingham has made 33 league appearances for Birmingham, scoring four goals and registering three assists.
