Manchester City have reportedly held initial talks about signing Borussia Dortmund midfielder, Jude Bellingham.
Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail reports that the Premier League champions have held initial talks over the signing of the 19-year-old midfielder, with relations between the Blues and Dortmund said to be very strong following Erling Haaland's move from the Westfalenstadion to the Etihad.
Of course, Swiss international Manuel Akanji followed from Dortmund as the summer transfer window neared its end, likely only strengthening the relationship.
Keegan has revealed that individuals with knowledge of the situation believe Bellingham will end up at City.
It's added that a great World Cup may price the England international out this summer but that the former Birmingham City man will not be seeing out his contract in Germany, set to expire in the summer of 2025.
It will come as no surprise that the Blues are considering a deal for Bellingham, with the futures of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva, pillars of the current midfield, uncertain beyond this season – the captain's deal in Manchester is set to expire next summer, while Silva is evidently keen to play abroad if a deal can be agreed.
Convincing Bellingham to join the club over the expected competition in the likes of Real Madrid and others is unlikely to present an issue for City as they boast the most attractive project in world football as well as having Haaland, with whom Bellingham is known to share a very strong friendship.
Perhaps the only sticking point to a move currently is the price Dortmund will request to sanction the Englishman's sale, as, unlike with Haaland, there does not appear to be a release clause – reports in Germany suggest a €150 million (£131 million) price tag.
City have, of course, got close to that figure when they shelled out £100 million to sign Jack Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021 and have shown in recent times they will sell players to fund purchases – so the figures for Bellingham may not be as unreachable as they appear on first glance.
If reports are to be believed, City clearly think there is a deal to be explored.
The Bellingham case is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Written by: @NA1907_
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