Jude Bellingham ‘lands in Germany to complete Borussia Dortmund move’

Birmingham City starlet Jude Bellingham has touched down in Germany as he prepares to put the finishing touches to his move to Borussia Dortmund.

Reports in German outlet BILD on Wednesday claimed the midfielder has agreed terms on a move to Dortmund in a deal worth €25million (£22.5m). It will make him the most expensive youngster in Bundesliga history.  

According to Sky Sports News, Bellingham flew from Birmingham airport on a private jet on Thursday morning and is now set to undergo his medical in the coming hours. 

Jude Bellingham has reportedly touched down in Germany to complete his Dortmund move

He landed in Dortmund at 10:30am local time on Thursday and it is claimed the club organised four cars that drove in four different directions to lure the spotlight away from Bellingham and his entourage.  

Despite being close to signing for Dortmund, it is reported that Bellingham will still be able to play in Birmingham’s crucial remaining two games of the season.

The Blues take on Preston on Saturday and then play Derby on the final day of the season as they look to secure their place in the Championship next season. 

Dortmund are due to start their pre-season training just eight days after the conclusion of the Championship season and it remains to be seen just how long Bellingham will have to rest.

Lucien Favre’s side are due to embark on a week-long training camp in Bad Ragaz in Switzerland, with the new Bundesliga season set to kick off on September 18.

It is claimed Bellingham has put pen to paper on a five-year deal that will see him earn €3m (£2.7m) in wages each year, a total of €15m (£13.5m). 

Dortmund were thought to be paying Birmingham City €35m (£31.5m) but have been able to renegotiate due to the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic, it has been reported.

The starlet is set to complete a £22.5m switch to the Bundesliga giants after a transfer battle

He will link up with the likes of Jadon Sancho (C) and Erling Haaland (R) from next season

However, although Birmingham City were willing to reduce the up front transfer fee, BILD report that they will be entitled to a larger percentage of the money Dortmund get if they sell Bellingham in the future.

The 17-year-old has been at the centre of a huge transfer tussle between several of Europe’s leading clubs in recent months, including Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

Dortmund chiefs are reportedly delighted with the deal and hope Bellingham can go on to be one of the club’s most valuable assets, like England ace Jadon Sancho. 

While the midfielder wasn’t Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s priority target this summer – that is Dortmund star Sancho – it represents a dent to the Red Devils’ summer plans.

The club rolled out the red carpet for Bellingham earlier this year in an attempt to convince the youngster that Old Trafford was the perfect place for him to develop.

However, it is believed that Dortmund’s successful track record of honing the world’s best young talent, such as Sancho and Erling Haaland, was the deciding factor in Bellingham’s choice to make the move to Germany.

Bellingham has made 42 appearances in all competitions for Birmingham this season, scoring four goals and contributing three assists.