'Good dribbler, tremendous passer' - what Erik ten Hag said about Manchester United's possible Jude Bellingham alternative

It is testament to English football's academy system that two of the best young midfielders in the world were nurtured in London and Birmingham.

Jamal Musiala may turn out for Germany when international dates roll around but between the ages of eight and 16, he honed his skills at Cobham. Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, joined Birmingham City as an under-eight in 2010 and the Dudley-born teen remained there for a decade before beginning his Bundesliga adventure. His No.22 shirt hasn't been worn at St. Andrew's since.

Musiala only turned 20 in March and Bellingham is still 19, yet both men have been driving forces for Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund respectively in this season's gripping title race in Germany.

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Regardless of which player ends up hoisting the Meisterschale at the end of May, though, it is looking increasingly likely that this will be the last domestic battle that fans will get to see between Musiala and Bellingham for some time.

Reports in Spain on Wednesday suggested Real Madrid are optimistic of staving off competition from Premier League clubs to sign Bellingham, and thus adding him to their roster of remarkable young players that already includes Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.

The Premier League is the most enthralling league in Europe but Real Madrid remains the pinnacle for most players - still as glamorous as ever, still dominant in the Champions League, still one of the biggest clubs in the world, still Real Madrid.

The development will not please Manchester United, whose manager Erik ten Hag had earmarked Bellingham, along with Frenkie de Jong - he of another Spanish