Manchester City ‘have NOT submitted a formal bid for Jude Bellingham’ with the £100m-valued Borussia Dortmund midfielder on his way to Real Madrid
- England international Jude Bellingham seems on his way to Real Madrid
- Manchester City have reportedly not submitted a bid for Bellingham
- The midfielder is the subject of extensive interest from all over Europe
Manchester City have not made a formal bid for Jude Bellingham, it has been reported.
19-year-old Bellingham looks set to join Real Madrid after it emerged this week that the Spanish club was close to agreeing personal terms with the Borussia Dortmund midfielder and setting aside significant funds to fund his move this summer.
His future has long been the subject of extensive speculation, with the Birmingham City Academy graduate widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the game.
However, according to The athleticit seems that City are resigned to the fact that Bellingham is on his way to Madrid, with no offer made to either club or player.
It has been reported that the Premier League leaders have not submitted a bid for Bellingham.
No offer has been made by Manchester City for Jude Bellingham, it has been reported
The midfielder is regarded as one of the brightest young talents of the moment
Bellingham is believed to be valued at more than £100 million by Dortmund, a fee Real Madrid are expected to collect this summer, with the midfielder being their main summer target.
The reports of Bellingham’s future add another subplot to the already intriguing upcoming Champions League semi-final between City and Real Madrid.
Numbers at the English club are said to believe the extensive speculation that has emerged this week stems from the Madrid-focused press being mischievous.
Speculation linking Raheem Sterling to a move to the Spanish capital in 2020 ahead of the Champions League quarter-finals meeting that year suggests there is precedent for such reports.
Should City formally pull out of a race to sign Bellingham, they will have been interested along with Liverpool, but no decision to reach an agreement has been made.
Liverpool had long searched for the front-runners to sign Bellingham, but pulled out of the hunt in March.
It is believed that the reported £130 million price tag placed on its back by Borussia Dortmund, alongside their need to sign some players as they embark on a major rebuild, was one of the reasons for such a decision.
As reported by Mail Sport, Real Madrid’s mission to bring him in has been going on for many months.
14-time European champion Juni Calafat’s chief scout, who identified him as the crown prince to the throne of Luka Modric, met with Bellingham’s father, Mark, earlier this year and communication between the respective parties has continued.
The German club, meanwhile, is resigned to the fate of Bellingham’s loss. After winning the race to sign the then 17-year-old in 2020, they have raised him to become one of European football’s best midfielders.
Speaking of Bellingham’s future this week, manager Edin Terzic remained coy, insisting he had not heard from the player about his alleged summer transfer.
“I haven’t even heard of him being involved with any other club,” he told reporters who were understandably all lined up to question him about the England international.
It is alleged that figures at City believe this week’s reports emerged as part of a diversionary tactic ahead of Tuesday’s semi-final.
In March, however, he gave more details about his future, claiming that Borussia Dortmund was the “perfect step” for him to develop.
“Before he chose to join us, he had opportunities to join the Premier League. There was a lot of interest from top clubs,” he said.
“But he chose to join us because he knows it could be the perfect move for him. I think we proved it both ways. He helps us a lot. But we as a club are also helping him and his career.
“We are very happy that he is part of our team, he is one of our leaders at 19 years old. He joined the England team as one of our players. It will be a subject for his future.’