Just seen on sky Man U put out the red carpet for Jude Bellingham before the virus hit. Can someone tell me please, 1) how is this lad worth 50 million. This is the price that has been quoted. I understand he’s a decent player, and has scored a couple but what has he done to be valued at this price. Plus, 2nd and I apologize if it’s been asked before. If he’s 16 how can they demand that few where our kids seem to leave for nothing. I thought they couldn’t sign a proper pro contract till 17 or 18? This is how we lots Rogers to man city and the lad to Chelsea a few years ago
Bellingham is the most advanced teenager in the English game. He is roughly 2 years ahead of his peer group in terms of his development even the best of whom are unlikely to have more than 30 odd games at Championship level by age 19. That is massive, hence all the hype.
In terms of contract he is on the standard 2 year academy contract which will expire in 2021. He can't sign his first professional contract until he is 17 and that can be for no longer than 3 years or if he waits until 18 then it can be for a maximum of 5 years. Until he is 18 he can't sign up to anything without his parent's consent.
With 1 year left on his academy contract his suitors shouldn't need to offer anything like £50m unless he has signalled his willingness to sign a 3 year professional contract with Blues in June. It is a measure of the hype surrounding the player that this sort of figure can be mentioned. United or whoever should only be paying a fraction of that. amount.
It is very easy for players to run their contracts down in the 16 to 20 age range.