Manchester United fans have already made a demand for their perfect Jude Bellingham alternative

Following months of constant speculation it looks as though Jude Bellingham will be swapping the famous black and yellow of Borussia Dortmund for the famous white of Real Madrid this summer.

It emerged on Wednesday afternoon that the Spanish giants have made headway in their attempts to secure the signature of the most talked-about 19-year-old in world football this summer, almost certainly quashing any hopes that Manchester United still had of luring the England international to Old Trafford. United rolled out the red carpet for Bellingham when he visited Carrington in March 2020, flanked by his parents, and they had not given up hope of giving it a second outing.

Bellingham has blossomed into one of the most exciting footballers on the planet since swapping Birmingham City for Dortmund in July 2020, meaning it is no surprise that Madrid have made their move. He is a generational talent and the Spanish side will be lucky to have him.

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For United, however, it means they are going to be left to explore alternative options to strengthen their midfield department this summer, though they always accepted they were never at the front of the queue for Bellingham's signature.

Erik ten Hag is a massive fan of the England ace and was understood to have told confidants last year that if he could sign any player in the world it would be Bellingham. That ship, however, has now seemingly sailed and United cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves, especially when it was always going to be an uphill struggle to sign him.

United have plans to strengthen their midfield options this summer with a younger and more dynamic operator, hence why Bellingham would have been a