Real Madrid-bound Bellingham didn’t want to move to a ‘plastic club’ like Manchester City

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham rejected a move to Manchester City as he didn’t want to transfer to a ‘plastic club’, according to reports.

The England international has become one of the most sought-after players in world football over the last 12 months with his brilliant performances for club and country.

It now looks almost certain that he will leave Borussia Dortmund this summer with Real Madrid and Man City both linked with a potential move.

However, reports in recent days have claimed that the Spanish side have won the race for Bellingham with 90min insisting the former Liverpool target has ‘agreed personal terms’ at the Bernabeu.

90min added: ‘The 19-year-old’s representatives have spoken to each of the main contenders while Dortmund themselves had their own pitch for Bellingham to extend his contract with the club before moving at a later date.

‘However, Bellingham informed Real of his decision to join them at the start of May via Juni Calafat, the club’s chief scout and driving force behind the signings of Fede Valverde, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes.

‘Dortmund were later informed by Bellingham’s representatives that he would not be extending his deal with them, and that the player instead wanted to push through the transfer to Spain.’

But despite 90min insisting there was ‘no bad blood’ between any of the parties, German journalist Patrick Berger has claimed that Man City was ruled out by Bellingham and his family because they were viewed as a ‘plastic club’.

Paris Saint-Germain were ruled out for similar reasons while Bellingham was not keen on joining Chelsea over their ‘crazy transfer strategy’.

Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has warned Bellingham that a move to Real Madrid means he won’t have “free rein” like he currently does at Dortmund.

Hamann told BestGamblingSites: “If he goes to City or Real Madrid, he won’t get away with what he’s doing with Dortmund at the minute. At Dortmund he’s got pretty much free rein to do as he wants and gets away with it because he contributes, he scores goals, he creates goals, he sets goals up.

“He won’t be able to do that at Madrid or Manchester City. I think for him, for his development, it would be best to stay one more season at Dortmund and then move on, move wherever he wants. I saw the celebration and it seemed to imply that there’s a chance he will stay.

“I think there is a chance because the longer it goes on, and there’s no finalising of a deal with anyone, it gives Dortmund more of a chance to keep him. If Dortmund are to win the League this season, he’ll be part of an invincible team and the people of Dortmund will never forget that.

“To then get the chance to play in the Champions League next season as Bundesliga winners will be fantastic. They were unfortunate to get knocked out by Chelsea, and I think there is a chance to stay – I hope he does.”

While former Chelsea and Liverpool defender Glen Johnson reckons Bellingham will still move to the Premier League in the future even if he ends up at Real Madrid this summer.

Johnson told Betfred: “I don’t believe there’s anything to suggest that Jude won’t be a success at Real Madrid. He’s already proved that he’s mentally strong enough to play abroad and move out of his comfort zone, so now he’s going to go to Real Madrid and win all sorts of trophies. He has all the attributes to be one of the best midfielders they’ve had.

“It’s hard to win the Ballon d’Or in Jude’s position as you have to be sensational. If a striker’s sensational, then that means they’re scoring 40, 50 goals in a year and that’s going to catch everybody’s attention. To win it as a central midfielder is super tough, but I believe that Jude will certainly be in the race for those accolades in the future.

“As long as he’s performing for Real Madrid, then I do believe he’d have no reason to move to the Premier League in the future. They’re going to win La Liga every other year and they’ll always go deep in the Champions League, so as long as Jude’s cemented in their midfield, then he’ll have no reason to go anywhere else.”

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