Manchester City star could play key role in Jude Bellingham transfer pursuit amid Liverpool interest

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland could play a key role in the club’s pursuit of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.

The Premier League Champions are widely expected to be involved in the race to sign the teenager, with interest brewing across England and Europe for the midfielder.

Bellingham has been subject to intense transfer speculation after an impressive FIFA World Cup campaign with England in Qatar.

The 19 year-old joined Dortmund for £25 million, leaving Birmingham City for the Bundesliga in July 2020.

The England midfield prodigy has come up against Pep Guardiola’s side on four previous occasions, scoring at the Etihad Stadium in the UEFA Champions League Group Stages in September.

Bellingham has made 22 appearances in all competitions for Dortmund so far this season, being directly involved in 12 goals in Germany.

Fabrizio Romano claims that Erling Haaland, who swapped Dortmund for the Etihad Stadium in the summer, could play a key role in the Sky Blues’ pursuit of the midfielder, amid interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid.

The journalist says that Bellingham and Haaland have a ‘special relationship’ and that City have to be considered as part of the race for the midfielder.

Earlier this month, Ben Jacobs claimed that City’s striker had already told the teenager to join the Sky Blues in the summer, with the club seen as Liverpool’s most serious rival to the 19 year-olds signature.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who signed a two-year contract extension in November, has previously praised the England international.

“At 17 he arrived it’s not just about the quality, he had a special mentality. He is already one of the captains of the team, to happen at 19 is quite impressive.

“It’s not just about the goals, the whole package is really good. He’s already playing for England at 19. We know the quality he has.”

The long-term futures of Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan could impact City’s pursuit of Bellingham, with the latter out of contract at the end of the current campaign.