Man City are reportedly ‘determined’ to beat Liverpool and Real Madrid to sign Jude Bellingham but their plans for the summer could be ‘scuppered’.
Bellingham is set to leave Borussia Dortmund later this year as clubs around Europe are interested in him.
Dortmund were keen to retain him last summer as they were unwilling to let him and Erling Haaland leave the club during the same transfer window.
Even though Bellingham is still under contract until 2025, Dortmund are expected to sell him before next season so they can demand a huge fee for their prized asset.
It was reported last week that Enzo Fernandez’s move to Chelsea has set the “benchmark”, with Bellingham expected to cost over £106m.
Liverpool and Real Madrid have been considered the favourites to sign Bellingham, but Man City are also known to be interested in the talented teenager.
The Telegraph are now reporting that City want to make Bellingham the ‘centrepiece of a big summer revamp’, though these plans could be ‘scuppered’ by the ‘storm engulfing the club’.
Pep Guardiola is ‘eager to freshen up his side amid concerns that they have fallen into a comfort zone’. Joao Cancelo left last month and it has been claimed that Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva are both unhappy.
Man City are ‘determined’ to beat Liverpool and Real Madrid to sign Bellingham, who is reportedly being viewed as a ‘long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne’.
Following last summer’s player sales, City have a ‘huge transfer kitty’ but news of them allegedly breaking FFP rules has ‘thrown a potential spanner into the works’.
Man City ‘believe their name will be cleared’ but it is anticipated that the process ‘could drag on beyond the summer’.
The Premier League champions could be deducted points or even be relegated if they are found guilty of what they are accused of.
The report adds: ‘Real, Liverpool and Bellingham’s other suitors are also likely to view City’s predicament as an opportunity to steal a march in the race for the coveted 19-year-old, whose next move is being carefully weighed up by the player and his family.
‘Nonetheless, sources have indicated that City are continuing to plan as normal for the window and are confident of being vindicated; something they are likely to impress on potential targets.’
Liverpool arguably need Bellingham more than Man City amid their ongoing woes in midfield.
The Reds are hoping to sign Bellingham and a defensive midfielder in the summer, with Wolves star Matheus Nunes among their targets.
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