Manchester City have been linked with a move for Jude Bellingham and plan to bring the 19-year-old to the Etihad Stadium, but they will have stiff competition for his signature, let alone needing to spend a lot of money to lure him away from Borussia Dortmund.
Bellingham joined the Bundesliga outfit from Birmingham City in 2020 and has gone on to make 112 appearances in all competitions, scoring 19 goals with 21 assists. He’s one of the most talented teenagers in Europe and has seen his stock skyrocket after impressing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
It’s easy to see why clubs are interested in the highly-rated England international, but he won’t be easy to sign. Dortmund have Bellingham contracted until 2025 and reportedly want £130m, so he’d break City’s transfer record.
That being said, Pep Guardiola was full of praise for the central midfielder and hasn’t been scared to pay large sums of money for the best English talent available – £52m for Kyle Walker in 2017, £47.5m for John Stones in 2016, £44m for Kalvin Phillips in 2022 and £100m for Jack Grealish in 2021.
Guardiola signed one of England’s best ball-playing defenders, best right-backs, best ball-winners and best playmakers, so could he land their best midfielder?
In other news, Pep Guardiola delivers Nathan Ake fitness update ahead of EFL Cup clash
Can you name these Man City players from the 2000s? Test your knowledge, take the quiz and challenge your friends and family to beat your score