Jude Bellingham latest: David Ornstein provides bumper Manchester City update

The Athletic have delivered a bumper update concerning Manchester City and their interest in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham this week.

The Bundesliga giants’ star in the middle of the park has been the subject of widespread interest from Europe’s main players ever since his breakthrough in the Birmingham City set-up in 2019.

While there was strong interest from within England, Jude Bellingham made the bold decision of moving into the continent, developing his game with Borussia Dortmund – who have a fantastic track record of taking young players to the next level in the senior game.

Since then, Bellingham has been a mainstay in the Dortmund midfield despite being only 19 years-old, and was an integral part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar across the recent winter period.

Ahead of what is expected to be a big summer in terms of Bellingham and his next steps in the professional game – and amidst interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool – new details have emerged concerning possible intrigue from the reigning Premier League champions.

According to the latest information from The Athletic, it is reported that Manchester City are not believed to be ‘favourites’ for Jude Bellingham, but are ‘certainly interested’ in the England international ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.

In an interesting point concerning the possible rivalry to City interest, The Athletic write that ‘some in the industry’ feel the former Birmingham City midfielder currently ‘prefers’ Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium as he would be ‘a better fit stylistically’ for Jurgen Klopp’s team.

With that being said however, Manchester City could certainly have more than enough room in their midfield this summer, especially given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding two of their current options in the centre of the park.

Bernardo Silva continues to suggest that he would be happier in his personal life away from the north-west of England, as the Portugal international eyes a move closer to his home country, attracting significant interest from Spain in particular.

FC Barcelona tracked the services of the former AS Monaco man last summer, but ultimately could not find the funding to match the asking price set out by Etihad Stadium officials – understood to be in the region of £90 million.

Ilkay Gundogan is also looking ever more likely to leave the club with every passing week, as the Germany international edges closer to the expiry date of his current Manchester City contract; which is up at the end of the season.

City are understood to be reluctant to hand the German midfielder any longer than an additional 12-month term, but Gundogan may seek more stability from what could be his final major contract of his top-level professional career.