Man Utd urged to make move for Jude Bellingham 'to show intent'

Manchester United should make a bold move for Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, says Dwight Yorke.

The England international has established himself as one of the brightest talents in world football, enjoying a sensational debut season with Real Madrid.

Bellingham’s 23 goals across all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign were instrumental in helping Los Blancos secure La Liga, Champions League, and Spanish Super Cup titles.

United had expressed interest in Bellingham back in 2020 when the then-Birmingham City teenager was on the verge of joining Borussia Dortmund.

It’s reported that former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer even enlisted the help of legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson to try to persuade Bellingham to choose Old Trafford.

Now, signing the 20-year-old seems highly unlikely, especially given United’s financial constraints under Premier League Sustainable Regulation (PSR) rules, which would make the substantial outlay required—likely around £150 million—difficult to justify.

Nevertheless, former United striker Yorke believes the club should make a statement by targeting marquee players like Bellingham.

Speaking to CoinCasino.com, Yorke said: "United would need £150 million to have a chance of signing Jude Bellingham.

"But look at United’s history—every two or three years, the club would bring in a high-profile signing. The last big one I can remember might be Zlatan Ibrahimović in 2016.

"United need to make their rivals sit up and think, ‘Oof, what a signing.’ They need to break the bank for a big-time player, just like Real Madrid do.

"Bellingham would be the perfect fit. However, I’m sure he’ll want to stay at Real Madrid for a few more years and continue proving himself there."

Yorke also commented on Bellingham’s current standing within the Real Madrid hierarchy, comparing it to the club’s past superstars.

He added: "We all know Mbappé is the top guy at Real Madrid, followed by Vinícius Jr. Bellingham is probably the third-most important player there, and he’ll know that.

"It’s a bit like the trio of Zidane, Ronaldo, and Figo back in the day—Bellingham won’t ever be the main man while Mbappé and Vinícius are around."

Despite the challenges, Yorke believes a move for Bellingham would be a transformative moment for United, demonstrating ambition and intent in the transfer market.