Jude Bellingham's desire to play first team football and an encouraging promise from Borussia Dortmund were the major reasons why he didn't move to Manchester United.
Dortmund finally announced a transfer for the exciting 17-year-old midfielder on Monday morning with a 'Hey Jude' announcement video, playing on the famous Beatles track.
Bellingham, who enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with Birmingham City in the Championship, will now link up with BVB after a fee in the region of £20million was agreed. He follows Norwegian striking sensation Erling Haaland in sealing a move to the German giants after United had registered serious interest.
MEN Sport understands Chelsea were also in the race for Bellingham, but the teenager - who is represented by his father - wanted to ensure he would get regular game-time, something the Premier League sides could not guarantee.
United gave Bellingham and his family a tour of their Carrington training ground in early March before the lockdown, in a bid to win the race for his signature.
But the recent success of English youngsters in the Bundesliga, such as United target Jadon Sancho and others including Reiss Nelson and Ademola Lookman, appears to have played a major part in Bellingham's thinking.
He made 40 league appearances for Birmingham in the 2019/20 season, scoring four goals and impressing in his debut senior campaign and developed a good relationship with former boss Pep Clotet, who has also now left St Andrews.
United are still interested in securing midfield signings this summer, with the transfer window officially opening in a week's time on July 27th. But their top target remains the Dortmund winger Sancho, with United remaining confident they can do a deal for the 20-year-old.
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish remains on United's radar, too.
