Jude Bellingham could sign for him FC Barcelona “four or five years” ago, when he started to stand out in Birmingham City. It was long before he accepted the offer from Borussia Dortmund. In the Bundesliga he made the great professional leap that led him to be one of the most sought-after young players on the planet. The 19-year-old midfielder, who is shining with the English team in the World Cup already convinced the culé ‘scouting’ department as a teenager. But a contact with his environment already got a resounding “no” as a first response, also accompanied by a curious and unappealable explanation for that refusal.
Bojan Krkic, former member of the scouting team of the FC Barcelona, revealed the inside story of how Bellingham could be from Barça. However, his father slammed that door shut. Speaking to Catalunya Radio, the father of former Barça forward of the same name, revealed this story. Bojan Sr, worked in the Barça scouting department from 2017 to June 2020. “I went to London to meet with Jude’s father in London. But he didn’t show up. I know he did it to a lot of people. His excuse with us was because we signed an English man of his age from Aston Villa or West Brom and he said: ‘My son won’t sign with Barça because my son can’t play with someone with that limited quality.” Krkic senior already noted the “personality and great winning character” Jude Bellingham is displaying at the World Cup long after that “anecdote.”
Instead of Jude Bellingham, the club signed Pedri, pretty much at the same time. A transfer that proved amazing.
Most promising midfielders in the world
Ultimately, Bellingham signed for the Borussia Dortmund in 2020 when he was only 17 years old. BVB made a bet on the emerging talent, didn’t hesitate to pay €29 million to sign him for their project. Two years later, Borussia can multiply that price by four in light of the offers that can come from clubs that want him. Real Madrid and Liverpool are the clubs that show the most interest in the young player. With a contract until 2025, he might cost at least €100 Millions.
