Man City among the clubs ‘lining up’ to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham and the Premier League champions have been told his price tag.
THE LOWDOWN: CITY LINKED…
Pep Guardiola‘s team are one of the many elite sides to have been linked with a move for the 19-year-old in recent months, alongside the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Reports have suggested that City are in contention for the England international’s signature, coming as club captain Ilkay Gundogan’s future remains up in the air.
The German’s contract at Eastlands expires at the end of this season, potentially making sporting director Txiki Begiristain contemplate his successor.
THE LATEST: CITY GIVEN BELLINGHAM PRICE TAG…
As shared by reliable journalist David Ornstein on Twitter, City are indeed ‘lining up’ for Bellingham as well as a queue of other suitors.
The Blues have also been told what it will take to land him with Dortmund setting a marquee price tag of around £132 million.
Writing in a piece for The Athletic, Ornstein and colleagues hint that City could see Bellingham as a replacement for Gundogan given the latter player may leave for free this year.
THE VERDICT: PERFECT PLAYER…
Gundogan was Guardiola’s first ever signing at the Etihad and he has gone on to become a faithful servant, endearing himself to supporters with a real on-pitch leadership and crucial moments in big games.
However, if City are to say goodbye to him in 2023, Bellingham could be viewed as the perfect like-for-like successor.
The midfield ‘monster‘, as dubbed by members of the press, has been a shining light for Dortmund yet again this season – standing out as their best player by some distance.
THE VERDICT: PERFECT PLAYER…
Gundogan was Guardiola’s first ever signing at the Etihad and he has gone on to become a faithful servant, endearing himself to supporters with a real on-pitch leadership and crucial moments in big games.
However, if City are to say goodbye to him in 2023, Bellingham could be viewed as the perfect like-for-like successor.
The midfield ‘monster‘, as dubbed by members of the press, has been a shining light for Dortmund yet again this season – standing out as their best player by some distance.
Bellingham ranks as their best-performer overall by average match rating, as per WhoScored, all while completing more successful take-ons and attempting a higher number of shots per 90 than any Dortmund player.
The all-round gem also has more tackles per game to his name than any other member of Dortmund’s squad (WhoScored) – further exemplifying his sheer quality.
‘Diamond’ Foden will bounce back for City, says Guardiola
MANCHESTER, England, Feb 25 (Reuters) – Winger Phil Foden still has a role to play for Manchester City this season, manager Pep Guardiola said, adding that the 22-year-old is the team’s “diamond”.
Foden has struggled with an ankle injury he sustained while playing for England at the World Cup in Qatar and has had limited game time for City due to the form of fellow wingers Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez.
Guardiola said Foden, who started three of their last 10 Premier League games, asked for time out to rest and recover from the injury.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Arsenal v Manchester City – Emirates Stadium, London, Britain – February 15, 2023 Manchester City’s Phil Foden celebrates their third goal scored by Erling Braut Haaland Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
“If you intend to say I don’t trust Phil, forget about it. Phil is our diamond,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday. “I want Phil to push them (Grealish and Mahrez) and of course, Phil can play in the middle, in a position more central.
“Always I say to him: ‘You are so young, next season is a new one’. If you drop a little bit this season compared to the previous one, it’s an absolutely normal process.
“How you handle it, is the question – if you handle it well. He is training like an animal, there’s no doubt about that, and he will be back.”
City, second in the league standings behind Arsenal, play at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Source: footballtransfertavern.com; reuters.com
