Liverpool icon ‘hopes’ Bellingham snubs City, Real with Dortmund stay ‘best for his development’

Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann thinks Jude Bellingham would be better off snubbing Manchester City and Real Madrid to stay at Borussia Dortmund for another season.

Dortmund bought the England international from his boyhood club Birmingham City for around £20million in 2020.

In 131 appearances for the Bundesliga side, Bellingham has scored 23 goals and provided 25 assists.

His performances have caught the eye of several clubs across Europe with a summer transfer looking increasingly likely.

Liverpool were very keen on signing but withdrew from the race due to Dortmund’s asking price, leaving the battle for his signature between Real Madrid and Manchester City.

A move to City would be massively unfair (says the Arsenal fan), .

Reports suggest the midfielder has chosen Los Blancos, who now need to agree a fee with Dortmund.

However, ex-Liverpool man Hamann is not sure the Bernabeu is the best place for Bellingham, as he will not be able to express himself as he does for the German club.

Hamann actually reckons Bellingham should stay at Dortmund for another season, especially if he helps them win the Bundesliga title this term.

“If he goes to City or Real Madrid, he won’t get away with what he’s doing with Dortmund at the minute,” Hamann said.

“At Dortmund he’s got pretty much free reign to do as he wants and gets away with it because he contributes, he scores goals, he creates goals, he sets goals up. He won’t be able to do that at Madrid or .

“I think for him, for his development, it would be best to stay one more season at Dortmund and then move on, move wherever he wants. I saw the celebration and it seemed to imply that there’s a chance he will stay.

“I think there is a chance because the longer it goes on, and there’s no finalising of a deal with anyone, it gives Dortmund more of a chance to keep him.

“To then get the chance to play in the Champions League next season as Bundesliga winners will be fantastic.

“They were unfortunate to get knocked out by Chelsea, and I think there is a chance to stay – I hope he does.”