Manchester United transfer chase of Jude Bellingham may come down to one factor

The clamour for Jude Bellingham has seemingly reignited following Liverpool’s withdrawal from the transfer race, and no club can be blamed for having a go.

In December, Manchester United left the door open for a potential pursuit and club figures now may be tempted to edge it further ajar. Erik ten Hag is looking to bolster his midfield options this summer.

Bellingham would more than fit the bill but United are yearning for a prolific goalscorer and top target Harry Kane won’t come cheap. Like his England colleague, Kane might cost north of £100m which, as it stands, would be a huge portion of Ten Hag’s summer budget.

READ MORE: Bellingham is ready for Manchester United role

United spent £225m last off-season and were forced to scrabble for loan deals in January, showing the kind of funding made available by the Glazers.

Champions League qualification will aid the coffers for the summer but if the current owners stay on at Old Trafford then the club won’t be able to spend megabucks twice in one window.

Recent reports are valuing Bellingham at £130m, more than half of last year’s club spend. Ten Hag needs to improve a number of areas of his squad so cannot and will not blow his budget on just two stars.

There are expected to be more outgoings than arrivals this summer and the chopping of deadwood will help finance moves for other players. But January evidenced what kind of financial ship the Glazers are running amid a near-billion debt and crumbling facilities.

There could be new hope for United fans with a new owner but the dragging out of takeover talks to a third stage of bidding could hamper their pursuit of players, Bellingham included. The Manchester United Supporters Trust released a statement on Thursday that