Real Madrid monitor Manchester City star as possible Jude Bellingham alternative

La Liga giants Real Madrid are monitoring the situation of Bernardo Silva at Manchester City ahead of the summer, according to a new report.

Despite competing to a very high standard during the ongoing season, and enjoying his football under Pep Guardiola, there remains a significant amount of uncertainty as to where Bernardo Silva will be playing his football next season.

The Portuguese playmaker has been at the heart of numerous high-profile transfer sagas in recent markets, most recently involving Barcelona during the summer window of 2022.

Manchester City have always maintained the stance that they will not stand in the way of any players who wish to leave the football club, providing the player and his representatives are able to provide a good offer from a potential suitor.

In the case of Bernardo Silva last summer, Barcelona’s well-known financial issues became the greatest stumbling block in any potential agreement between the clubs, as City stood firm on their valuation of around £90 million.

Now however, it has been reported that the Camp Nou club’s bitter La Liga rivals could swoop in and secure the player this summer, providing one crucial factor goes in the direction that they seemingly do not want it to in an ideal world.

According to the information of ESPN’s Rob Dawson and Rodrigo Faez, Real Madrid are monitoring Bernardo Silva’s situation at Manchester City in case they miss out in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.

While the Portugal international remains under contract at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2025, and continues to be linked with potential moves to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, the right offer could persuade Manchester City to sell.

ESPN report that while the 28 year-old is ‘happy’ at Manchester City, despite seeking a move in each of the last two transfer windows, the former AS Monaco and Benfica man expects to be allowed to leave for the right price in the coming months.

As for City and the aforementioned Bellingham, officials at the Etihad Stadium regard the England international as their number on transfer target in central midfield this summer, despite the competition they face from the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid.

However, in recent days and weeks, there has been a feeling within the Manchester City camp that they could lead the race for Jude Bellingham should they show a willingness to deliver the finances that get within touching distance of Borussia Dortmund’s valuation.

Elsewhere, City will also look to resolve the uncertainty surrounding the future of club captain Ilkay Gundogan – who continues to leave the Etihad hierarchy in limbo with his existing deal set to expire upon the conclusion of the ongoing season.