Manchester City are “starting talks” with Borussia Dortmund as they look to secure the signature of Jude Bellingham this summer, journalist Rudy Galetti has told GiveMeSport.
The 19-year-old is widely expected to depart Signal Iduna Park in 2023 amid interest from Pep Guardiola’s side.
Man City transfer news – Jude Bellingham
According to the Daily Mail, Manchester City are preparing a double swoop for Leicester City’s James Maddison as well as Bellingham ahead of the summer transfer window, though Real Madrid and Liverpool are set to rival the Cityzens for the latter’s signature.
Reports in Germany have now indicated that Newcastle United have joined the race for the teenage sensation, who is expected to cost around £130m.
However, transfer insider Dean Jones has recently told GiveMeSport that Liverpool may now up the ante in their pursuit of the Stourbridge-born star, suggesting that the Etihad Stadium outfit will face stiff competition to acquire the England talent’s services.
But Galetti believes that “we have to pay attention to Manchester City” who have just opened talks with Dortmund to understand the situation regarding Bellingham.
What has Galetti said about Man City and Bellingham?
Galetti told GiveMeSport: “We have to pay attention to Manchester City, who are in the race. They are starting talks with Borussia to go deeper into the situation of Bellingham. Everything is still to be decided and at the moment we are only just at the beginning of the race for Bellingham.”
Would Bellingham be a good signing for Man City?
Bellingham would likely be an excellent addition to the Manchester City squad after the youngster gained the interest of the planet following his impressive showings for England at the World Cup in November and December.
The 22-cap Three Lions international started all five of Gareth Southgate’s side’s fixtures in Qatar, bagging himself a goal and an assist before the Euro 2020 finalists fell to France in the quarter-finals.
His displays in the Middle East earned the Birmingham City academy product an average WhoScored rating of 7.58 for the tournament, ranking him as the nation’s second-best-performing player behind Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka.
His excellent showings at the World Cup only add to the fantastic season he is currently enjoying with Dortmund where he has hit the back of the net ten times and provided four assists in 24 appearances this season.
Therefore, at the age of just 19, Bellingham promises to be one of the leading players of his generation and his signing could be seen as a massive coup to whichever club secures his services this summer.
Manchester City set for new second-choice goalkeeper next season, reveals manager
Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt has revealed that Manchester City are set for a change of goalkeeper next season.
The Premier League champions currently have a strong selection of goalkeepers at the disposal of manager Pep Guardiola, with Brazilian international Ederson Moraes having held down the first-choice role since joining the club in 2017.
Acting as back-up to the former Benfica stopper is now summer arrival Stefan Ortega Moreno – who arrived at the Etihad Stadium from Arminia Bielefeld on a free transfer, following a hugely impressive campaign in the Bundesliga.
Scott Carson acts as third choice to the aforementioned duo, with the English football icon playing an instrumental role in holding down the camaraderie within the goalkeeping union at Manchester City.
However, new comments from Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt would suggest that next summer could see a significant change in that ranking, with on-loan goalkeeper James Trafford returning to the club for the 2023/24 season.
Evatt has admitted during recent comments that the League One club will be forced into entering the transfer market for a new goalkeeper, with Trafford set to return to Manchester City after impressive spells out on loan.
As relayed by The Bolton News, Ian Evatt has said, “We know in the goalkeeping department that we can’t guarantee we will get James (Trafford) again next season. We don’t know what division we are going to be in, number one.”
He continued, “But we also don’t know what Manchester City’s plans are, although I understand that next season James will be number two at Manchester City, so we have plans in place to recruit and sign a new goalkeeper in the next window.”
A return for James Trafford to the Etihad Stadium would suggest that one of City’s current trio of goalkeepers is set for an exit from the club, although the most likely scenario is that Scott Carson takes on a coaching role within the organisation.
That would then likely see Stefan Ortega move to third choice, Ederson retain his number one slot, and James Trafford come in as back-up and feature in cup competitions for Pep Guardiola’s side.
However, the possibility of an exit for the likes of Ederson or Stefan Ortega should not be entirely ruled out, with the German stopper in particular impressing to a level where he may be seeking more regular game time at the very top level of the game.
Source: givemesport.com; cityxtra.co.uk
