Earlier this year before he joined Borussia Dortmund from Sunderland, Arsenal were said to be interested in Jobe Bellingham.
For a long while, Jobe Bellingham has lived in his brother Jude’s shadow somewhat, who is now starring at Real Madrid.
However, following his crucial role in Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League, Jobe will now get his chance to shine on a much grander stage at Dortmund, and he has already impressed at the Club World Cup.
Whilst Arsenal wanted to sign Bellingham themselves, the 19-year-old seems very content with his decision to head to the Bundesliga.
And according to reports emerging from Germany, Bellingham has actually been trying to convince one ‘special’ Arsenal youngster to join him in Dortmund.
Jobe Bellingham tried to convince Ethan Nwaneri to leave Arsenal
Sky Sports Germany are now reporting that Bellingham tried to convince Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri to opt for a move to join him in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund were willing to pay €30m (£26m) to sign Nwaneri this summer, and manager Niko Kovac also made a call to the Arsenal youngster according to the report.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
However, Nwaneri has agreed a new contract with Arsenal, as TBR Football confirmed last week.
Manager Mikel Arteta played a key role in those talks, and Arsenal fans will be grateful that his voice ultimately proved more convincing than Bellingham’s or Kovac’s.
Of course, heading to Dortmund is now becoming a well-trodden path for exciting young English talents.
Jadon Sancho was the trailblazer in that respect, and Chelsea have signed Jamie Gittens from Dortmund this summer as well.
Incidentally, Arsenal were linked with the English winger themselves, but Gittens preferred to sign for Chelsea.
Reiss Nelson might benefit from a move to Borussia Dortmund
In terms of an Arsenal player who might actually benefit from signing for Dortmund this summer — Reiss Nelson has history in Germany.
Nelson spent the season on loan at TSG Hoffenheim in 2018/19 and it is thought that he will leave Arsenal again this summer, whether it’s a permanent or temporary move.
Fulham are linked with Nelson, the side he spent last season on loan with in west London.
But perhaps Dortmund are the kind of club who could really revive Nelson’s career — the 25-year-old could still thrive at a top European club were he given regular chances.
Nelson has now had reasonable success at several clubs on loan, and he is perhaps a slightly understated talent at Arsenal, simply because he’s stuck behind the likes of Bukayo Saka.
But if Dortmund were to turn their attention to another English attacker, then Nelson could be an exceptional new teammate for Bellingham.