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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Stephen Killen & Hannah Pinnock

'Outgrown Dortmund' - Rio Ferdinand sends Jude Bellingham transfer message amid Liverpool links

Pundit Rio Ferdinand believes reported Liverpool target Jude Bellingham may feel he's 'already outgrown' current club Borussia Dortmund.

The midfielder has made headlines ever since he arrived at the German club in 2020 and he's quickly established himself as one of the most promising young talents. The likes of Liverpool, along with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been linked in recent times.

Plenty of clubs have been tipped to make a move for the 19-year-old next summer should he become available. Erling Haaland left Dortmund for City this year, which made any potential deal for Bellingham impossible.

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Ferdinand, who made over 400 appearances for United during his playing days, believes the England international may already be ready to make the step up to a top club.

The pundit told BT Sport after the young midfielder scored against City: "I think he’s even sitting there like without being too arrogant but thinking ‘I’ve probably outgrown Borussia Dortmund already’ I think he’ll be sitting there saying that with all due respect.

"Thinking I’m a year behind when I should’ve left because he’s got that self belief that you need to take you to them heights."

Bellingham, however, isn't taking any notice of speculation surrounding his future and he says it would be 'disrespectful' to Dortmund to even consider a move right now. "It's not something I am thinking about, to be honest," he also told BT Sport. "The club have done loads for me and made me feel very welcome since I first came and gave me the opportunities to develop even further. To look past that and into the future would be disrespectful."

He joined Dortmund from Birmingham City in the summer of 2020 and has so far made just shy of 100 appearances for the Bundesliga club. He signed a fresh contract just a year after his arrival and his current deal is set to expire in 2025, meaning Dortmund are in no desperate need to sell their star player anytime soon.

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