Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - September 14, 2022. Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham reacts.
Manchester City may have emerged as strong candidates for the signing of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham due to the help of star striker Erling Haaland, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.
The Lowdown: Bellingham linked with Man City
According to a report by The Athletic, the Etihad Stadium was listed as one of the potential destinations for the 19-year-old in next summer’s transfer window.
Liverpool and Real Madrid have previously been touted as the favourites to sign the teenager, but it now seems that City have emerged as major contenders with the arrival of his former team-mate Haaland at the Premier League champions.
Dortmund value the midfielder at £131.6m, so it will take a huge bid to land the youngster’s services.
The Latest: Sheth’s claim
Sheth thinks that Haaland’s move to City may have thrown a spanner in the works for the likes of Liverpool, with the Norway international allegedly trying to convince ex-Dortmund colleague Bellingham to join him at the Etihad.
Speaking with GiveMeSport about the 22-year-old’s apparent input, the Sky Sports reporter claimed: “These reports are out there that he’s spoken to Jude Bellingham.
“A lot of talk was it’s almost a done deal to Liverpool, it looked like that was going to be his destination. But suddenly, you’ve got a player who has played a few seasons with Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund, maybe in his ear saying, ‘you need to come here.
“This is where it’s happening. This is where you’re going to win trophies. This is where you’ll be able to fulfil your potential’.”
The Verdict: Would be an incredible signing
Having burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old when he signed for the Bundesliga outfit in a deal worth an initial £25m, Bellingham has become one of the most exciting players in world football.
At just 19 years of age, the England international has already made an astounding 103 appearances for his current club.
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Over the past year, compared with positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, the midfielder ranks in the top 3% for assists, dribbles completed and touches in the attacking penalty area, and also in the top 6% for non-penalty expected goals (via FBRef).
Having been dubbed a ‘world class’ talent by journalist Adam Solomons, it would be an incredible piece of business if City were able to swoop in and steal Bellingham from under the noses of their Premier League rivals, potentially thanks to Haaland.
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