Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice send Jude Bellingham message as Arsenal transfer mistake revealed

Arsenal starlet Bukayo Saka has sent Jude Bellingham a positive message after the Real Madrid starlet received the Kopa trophy on Monday night. Both Saka and Bellingham were also nominated for the Ballon d'Or award, finishing 24th and 18th respectively, with the latter winning the Kopa trophy for the best Under-21 male player following a stellar 2022/23 campaign for Borussia Dortmund.

The England international then joined Madrid during the summer transfer window, starting this season in even more impressive fashion, having already netted 13 times across all competitions. After posting a picture of him being given the award on his Instagram account, Gunners winger Saka congratulated his compatriot.

Writing in the comment section, Saka simply sent two clapping emojis. Meanwhile, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice wrote: «Fully deserved brother (Clapping emoji).»

Bellingham could actually have been plying his trade in north London alongside the likes of Saka and Rice if old comments from Tony Adams are to be believed. Speaking about the situation to Sky Sports three years ago, Adams said: «I think it got lost, this one, in the transition of the chief scout at Arsenal going out.

»He was spotted very early on, not by me, by the Arsenal recruitment office. The chief scout was absolutely bowled over by him and the great prospect that he is.

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«He had more or less done the deal, but at that moment the new sporting director Edu came in from Brazil and had no European experience and no UK experience. I think it got lost in the transition, Edu didn't know nothing about