Manchester City had Jude Bellingham on their list of summer transfer targets, but Sky Sports are adamant that Liverpool are leading the race for his signature. Real Madrid are also keen on the 19-year-old, so City have a tough task bringing him to the Etihad Stadium.
Bellingham has made 113 appearances in all competitions since joining Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham City in 2020, scoring 20 goals with 22 assists. He’s one of the best young players in Europe and has been tipped to become one of the best midfielders, so it’s easy to see why City would want him.
Ilkay Gundogan is out of contract and could leave on a free transfer while Bernardo Silva has been open about potentially leaving for another project, so Pep Guardiola could lose two players from the engine room this summer. Bellingham would be a terrific replacement, but he won’t be easy to sign.
Sky in Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg said on The Transfer Show: “We all think Bellingham will leave this summer. Dortmund want between €100m-€150m (£88.3m – £132.4m).
“There are three targets for him – Real Madrid, Man City and Liverpool. Liverpool are one of the favourites, and Jurgen Klopp is pushing. Conversations have been held with Julian Ward.”
City do have a positive relationship with Dortmund, having signed Gundogan, Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji, but it remains to be seen if that will be enough. Guardiola showered the midfielder in praise when the two sides met in the Champions League, but he might have his heart set on Liverpool.
In other news, Sao Paulo want to extend Nahuel Ferraresi’s loan deal after injury setback
For more Manchester City news and opinion, please follow our Vital Football page on Facebook – Vital Man City. Click the link and get involved!
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