MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes has made a prediction about Jude Bellingham's future.
The Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder, 19, is being heavily linked with a big-money move in the summer.
A host of Europe's top clubs are thought to be interested in signing him including Man Utd, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool reportedly pulled out of the race earlier this week as they do not intend to spend such a hefty fee – thought to be around £130million – on one player.
And Scholes feels Man Utd are in the running to secure the teenage superstar's signature.
Speaking on BT Sport, he said: "I think they [Man Utd] are contenders [to sign him].
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"If you went back a couple of years you’d have said no chance. Even back to the start of this season.
"But now I think they have to be. He would look at this team and think this is up and coming for the next few years."
Yet despite Scholes' hope that Bellingham will move to Old Trafford, he feels 14-time European champions Real Madrid will ultimately come out on top.
He added: "I do think he’ll sign for Real Madrid – I don’t know why. I’ve just got that feeling.
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"But I do hope he comes here [Old Trafford]. He could make United a proper team."
Bellingham has contributed 20 goals and 25 assists in 127 games for Dortmund.
That includes a superb 17 goal contributions for the club this season.
He has also already racked up 24 caps for his country and was one of England's standout players at the Qatar World Cup.
Despite a huge amount of interest in Bellingham, Dortmund are still hoping to keep hold of him for one more season.
The club are planning to offer the midfielder a new deal that would see his annual salary increase by 150 per cent to £13million.
It is also claimed his contract would include a £131m release clause.
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