Man City hopeful Jude Bellingham ‘will snub Real Madrid and Liverpool in favour of Pep’

Manchester City are reportedly optimistic that England star Jude Bellingham will turn down Real Madrid and Liverpool in favor of working with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.

Bellingham cemented its status as the hottest property in world football at the World Cup, where it produced a series of impressive displays before England were beaten by France in the quarter-finals.

Liverpool were understood to be the favourites, but in recent days Real Madrid are believed to have overtaken the Reds as favorites to sign the erstwhile Birmingham City midfielder, and are willing to pay upwards of £100m.

Manchester City are reportedly optimistic that England star Jude Bellingham will turn down Real Madrid and Liverpool in favor of working with Pep Guardiola.

After excelling at Borussia Dortmund, and enjoying an incredible World Cup with England, several of Europe’s elite clubs are desperate to sign the 19-year-old.

Since Bellingham’s career picked up pace in Germany with Borussia Dortmund, several of Europe’s top clubs have taken an interest. And after a stellar World Cup in Qatar, its price is only going one way.

Despite reports suggesting Bellingham will head to the Bernabéu, Etihad sources are confident the idea of ​​working with Pep could turn the tables in City’s favour, according to Sun.

With Guardiola signing a contract with City until 2025, and Bellingham’s former Dortmund teammate Erling Haaland at the club, the teenage sensation could be destined for Manchester.

Bellingham has been linked with Liverpool, Manchester United, PSG and favorites Real Madrid.

Which side of Manchester that is remains to be seen. Last week, news broke that Manchester United will throw their hats into the ring for signing Bellingham alongside their long-term target Frenkie De Jong.

United thought they had won the race to sign Bellingham after the youngster and his parents visited the club’s training base in Carrington, where he met Sir Alex Ferguson and other club officials.

The Old Trafford hierarchy will try again next summer and hopes to win over Bellingham by offering him a key role in United’s future.

Signing for Man City would see Bellingham reunite with Erling Haaland, who joined Pep’s side in the summer.

Paris Saint-Germain boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi also admitted his interest in Bellingham earlier this month, saying: “Everybody wants him, I’m not going to hide it.”

However, it is believed that PSG are no longer in the race to sign the Dortmund wunderkind.

Since joining Dortmund in 2020, Bellingham has racked up 112 appearances and even assumed the captaincy, scoring 21 goals and assisting 19 more in the process.

He scored his first goal for England on his World Cup debut in a 6-2 rout against Iran and played an integral role in Gareth Southgate’s midfield throughout the tournament.