Man City began Jude Bellingham transfer charm offensive last October with gift to Borussia Dortmund star

Posted Sunday, April 16, 2023 by Thesun.co.uk

MANCHESTER CITY began ramping up their charm offensive to land Jude Bellingham last October.

They presented the midfielder with a shirt signed by Erling Haaland after the 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund.

Man City hinted at their interest for Jude Bellingham after meeting Dortmund in a Champions League group game six months ago

Bellingham, 19, was invited into City’s dressing room and given the top his old team-mate wore in the Champions League tie.

Boss Pep Guardiola has made signing the England star his priority this summer and City are confident of winning a bidding war with Real Madrid, despite Dortmund likely to want £130million.

They feel the chance to work under Guardiola and link up again with Haaland also gives them the edge.

Manchester United are also thought to be keen.

But any serious offer from Old Trafford could depend on a potential takeover being completed in time for the summer window.

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Liverpool, however, appear to have backed out of the hunt because of the expected fee

And Dortmund still believe they can keep Bellingham.

The Bundesliga giants reckon the £138m deal they received from Barcelona for Ousmane Dembele in 2017 is a fair indicator of how much the ex-Birmingham teenager should command.

At the time France winger Dembele was just 20 — a few months older than Bellingham is now.

Any move seems certain to shatter the £106m Chelsea paid Benfica for Enzo Fernandez in January.