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PL rivals faltering is good news for Man City’s pursuit of £133.8m-rated star [Opinion]

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Manchester City are desperate to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund this summer with Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan having uncertain futures at the Etihad Stadium, but their pursuit of the 19-year-old initially hit a stumbling block with Real Madrid and Liverpool looking a more attractive prospect for the player.

That may have changed, however, as Liverpool are struggling in the Premier League this season and may not be able to boast Champions League football next season. The Reds were confident of beating City to his signature, but they’re currently sitting 10th in the table after 20 games and have lost three of their last four.

Bellingham surely wouldn’t join a side in transition over City who are still challenging on three fronts. Real present a threat as they need long-term replacements for Toni Kroos and Luke Modric, but they do still have Aurélien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos at their disposal.

City have a good relationship with Dortmund, which allowed them to sign Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji last summer, so they shouldn’t have an issue negotiating the price – Dortmund are resigned to losing Bellingham and want between €100m-€150m (£89.2m-£133.8m).

The question is whether Liverpool’s failure this season rules them out of signing the 19-year-old. Gabriel Agbonlahor believed it would be a factor, saying on talkSPORT: “He’s not even going to look twice at coming if you’re not in the (Champions League). He’d choose City or Madrid.”

In other news, Pep Guardiola accused of going ‘mad’ after Man City transfer decision

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He joined from Newcastle in 2000 and left to join FC Sochaux in 2003

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Sports journalist who is an avid football fan, enjoys debunking transfer rumours, loves to write pieces about players out in the cold and takes a large amount of pride getting a predicted XI 100% correct.