Manchester City hold belief of securing Jude Bellingham deal ahead of Real Madrid and Liverpool

Officials at Manchester City believe the lure of working alongside Pep Guardiola could sway Jude Bellingham towards the Etihad Stadium next summer, according to a new report.

The England international midfielder is widely expected to be the number one midfield target for several of Europe’s most prominent clubs in 2023, after a hugely impressive couple of campaigns with Borussia Dortmund.

The recent FIFA World Cup in Qatar further heightened the excitement around Bellingham’s talents, as he starred in England’s run to a quarter-final, only to be narrowly defeated by eventual finalists France.

While it is understood that Jude Bellingham does not have a release clause in his current contract with Dortmund, the German club’s asking price – which is expected to be north of £100 million – is unlikely to turn away any potential suitors.

However, according to the information of a new report this week, Manchester City believe that the former Birmingham City star could sway towards the Etihad Stadium due to one particular factor.

This is according to The Sun, who report that both Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City hierarchy are ‘determined’ to win the fight for Jude Bellingham.

In fact, it is claimed that sources within the Etihad Stadium believe that the prospect of working with City boss Pep Guardiola will ultimately swing the Borussia Dortmund star’s decision in their favour.

It is detailed that those at City see signing Jude Bellingham as the ‘ideal way to revamp their midfield’ in the future, with club captain Ilkay Gundogan out of contract in the summer and Bernardo Silva still unsure as to where his long-term future is best suited.

But what does Dortmund’s expected high price tag mean for Manchester City and their apparent interest in the 19 year-old?

According to The Sun, the reigning Premier League champions are prepared to ‘shatter’ the £100 million they paid to Aston Villa for Jack Grealish in the summer of 2021.

City have been long reported to be in the market for a new midfield talent, largely due to the uncertainty surrounding the aforementioned midfield duo currently within the ranks at the Etihad Stadium.

Another name that has captured imaginations of boards across the continent is Benfica and Argentina star Enzo Fernandez – who is known to be a close friend of current City striker Julian Alvarez, after their time together with River Plate.

Following Fernandez’s outstanding contributions to Argentina’s World Cup win in Qatar, the youngster is also likely to command a transfer fee in excess of £100 million next summer.