Manchester City have enjoyed an outstanding beginning to life under Enzo Maresca, with the new manager yet to see his side drop points in the Premier League.
Five matches have produced five victories, with Erling Haaland already finding the net five times and City conceding just five goals.
Maresca’s side currently sit at the top of the table and have made an impressive start to the post-Pep Guardiola era.
Despite all the positives, however, City have now reportedly been handed a significant setback in their pursuit of one of the midfielders they have been linked with as they continue to reshape their squad.
Bellingham Set to Extend Real Madrid Contract
Manchester City’s hopes of bringing Jude Bellingham back to England appear to have suffered a major blow, with the Real Madrid midfielder reportedly moving closer to signing a new contract at the Bernabeu.
The 23-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the most important players in Madrid’s squad since leaving Borussia Dortmund in 2023. His performances have made him a key part of the club’s plans, and Real are now looking to secure his long-term future.
According to Fichajes, Bellingham has no interest in moving to Manchester City and is instead expected to commit himself to Madrid by agreeing fresh terms in the coming weeks.
His existing contract already keeps him at the Spanish giants until 2029, but negotiations are reportedly underway over an extension that could see him remain in the Spanish capital until either 2030 or 2031.
The discussions are also expected to include improved financial terms, reflecting Bellingham’s importance to the club since his arrival.
His form this season has only strengthened his position. The England international has registered three goals and two assists across his opening eight appearances, taking his overall Madrid tally to 140 games and 46 goals.
He has also already collected five major trophies during his time in Spain, including La Liga and the Champions League.
That remarkable return explains why Real Madrid are keen to prevent uncertainty surrounding his future from developing into a major transfer saga. Rather than waiting until Bellingham approaches the final stages of his current agreement, the club appear intent on rewarding his performances and tying him down for longer.
Bellingham a Madrid ‘Leader’
Bellingham’s importance to Madrid extends beyond his statistics. He has become one of the team’s leading figures despite being only 23, combining his technical ability with a willingness to take responsibility in midfield.
His influence has also been recognised by his teammates, with Antonio Rudiger describing Bellingham as a “leader”.
That status makes the prospect of City successfully convincing him to leave increasingly difficult. The midfielder has only been at Madrid for three years, but he has already established himself as a central figure at one of the biggest clubs in world football.
City were linked with Bellingham during the summer as part of their efforts to strengthen their midfield. However, the Premier League side’s circumstances have changed since then, with significant investment already made in the position.
Even so, Bellingham’s quality would make him an attractive option for any club, particularly one looking to maintain its position at the top of English football.
