Bellingham to Man Utd: Wonderkid ‘ticks all boxes’ for Ratcliffe

Manchester United have yet to open talks over a move for Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham, but there is an acceptance that he ‘ticks all the boxes’ for Sir Jim Ratcliffe, according to a report.

The younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham is forging his own path. Jobe has been starring in the Championship for Sunderland since joining from boyhood club Birmingham City in 2023.

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The 19-year-old is fighting for promotion to the Premier League this season as the Black Cats currently sit fourth in the table. Bellingham has impressed with his versatility for Sunderland, seamlessly shifting between an attacking and defensive midfield role throughout his time at the club.

Unsurprisingly, speculation linking him with a move to top sides in England and around Europe is always present. Bellingham is known to have admirers at a host of Premier League sides, while the likes of Borussia Dortmund and even Real Madrid are monitoring his progress.

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Man Utd keen on Bellingham

One of the sides most persistently linked with the teenager are Man Utd. Since the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Red Devils have focused increasingly on young talent and the INEOS billionaire wants the club to foster English prospects.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Man Utd have yet to open any kind of talks with Bellingham or Sunderland over a move – and the player isn’t pushing to get out – but there is an awareness that he would be an ideal fit for what Ratcliffe is trying to build.

“The player’s not really agitating for a move,” Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT. “There’s nothing advanced yet between Man Utd and Bellingham. But what we can say about Man Utd is that part of Jim Ratcliffe’s sporting-led strategy is to lower the average age and to invest in home-grown talents. And Bellingham ticks both boxes.”

Man Utd have also been linked with teammate Chris Rigg, another teen prodigy. Indeed, Man Utd scouts are frequent visitors at Sunderland games and the Manchester giants will surely try to raid the Black Cats for at least one of their prospects this summer.