Borussia Dortmund duo Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham came close to joining Juventus
By Tushar Bahl
Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham both came close to joining Italian giants Juventus, former director Fabio Paratici has revealed.
Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham have established themselves as two of the world’s most talented young players at Borussia Dortmund. The duo have formed a great partnership and continue to get better and better with every passing week. But former Juventus director Fabio Paratici has revealed that both Haaland and Bellingham came close to joining the Italian side before moving to BVB.
Paratici, who was at Juventus for 11 years before joining Tottenham Hotspur this summer, said at the Festival dello Sport on Sunday:
"“Haaland was close to Juventus the first time when he was 16-17 years old and still playing in Norway. However, he chose RB Salzburg. Then he chose Borussia Dortmund for the Bundesliga and for more playing time.”“Speaking of Dortmund players, it is true that Bellingham stayed a week in Turin, the deal was close. But then he decided to choose Germany as his next step.”"
Juventus were one of the many teams in the race to sign Erling Haaland when he was leaving RB Salzburg in January 2020. But the striker decided to join Borussia Dortmund and has scored 68 goals in just 67 appearances for the club. He won the Golden Boy award last year and has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or this year.
A number of big clubs were also interested in signing Jude Bellingham from Birmingham City. But like Haaland, the midfielder also decided to join Borussia Dortmund. He became a regular starter for the Black and Yellows straight away, and has gone from strength to strength over the last 12 months.
Bellingham’s incredible performances saw him earn a call-up to the England squad for the Euros this summer, and he has also been nominated for the Golden Boy award and the Kopa Trophy.
Next. How the players who left Borussia Dortmund this summer are faring at their new clubs. dark
The decision to join Borussia Dortmund has proven to be the right one for both Haaland and Bellingham. And both players have a very bright future ahead of them.