Back to the Manchester United Newsfeed

'Edu didn't know anything about this player': Arsenal had deal 'kind of done' for Jude Bellingham but blew the chance to beat Borussia Dortmund to the teenage sensation after arrival of new sporting director, reveals legend Tony Adams

Tony Adams has claimed that Arsenal blew the chance to sign Jude Bellingham because sporting director Edu did not know who he was.

The former Arsenal captain said that a deal was 'kind of done' for the exciting teenage prospect before either Manchester United or Borussia Dortmund had entered the race for the former Birmingham youngster.

But it was then 'lost in the transition' after Edu took over from former head of recruitment Sven Mislintat in 2019.

Jude Bellingham's performances for Borussia Dortmund have earned him an England call up

The 17-year-old rejected a high-profile pursuit from United to sign for German giants Dortmund in a £25m deal in the summer, and has this week received his first senior England call-up.