Man City are determined to beat Liverpool and Real Madrid to the signing of Jude Bellingham, while Arsenal and Man Utd are eyeing an expensive loan deal…
CITY MEAN BUSINESS
Man City ‘believe’ that Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham will snub Liverpool and Real Madrid in order to move to the Etihad Stadium, according to reports.
The 19-year-old was on many clubs’ radars before the World Cup but his performances in Qatar have solidified the view that he will become the best midfielder in world football.
Man City have always been in the frame to sign Bellingham but it was thought that a transfer to Liverpool or Real Madrid would be more likely. There was a report earlier this week that said Real Madrid ‘believe they’ve won’ the race for the England international but now The Sun claims that the Citizens are ‘determined to win the fight’.
Sources at Man City have told the newspaper that ‘the prospect of working with Guardiola will swing the Dortmund star’s decision in their favour’. The Citizens ‘think they can seal a Bellingham deal due to Guardiola signing to stay until 2025 and also the chance to reunite with his old Borussia Dortmund pal Erling Haaland’.
All of the clubs chasing him are aware that Bellingham will ‘prioritise football reasons over money when he picks his next club’ and Man City believe that gives them a good chance.
£8M TRANSFER TRIGGER
Arsenal and Man Utd are both looking into the possibility of taking Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix on loan until the end of the season, according to reports.
The Red Devils are on the lookout for a new striker after Cristiano Ronaldo left Old Trafford by mutual consent in November, while Arsenal could also do with a fresh face up top with Gabriel Jesus likely to be out for the next few months.
Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin recently hinted that Felix wanted more playing time away from Atletico Madrid despite him wanting the forward to stay.
“[Joao Felix] is the biggest bet this club has taken in its history. I personally think he’s a top talent, a world-class player,” Gil Marin told TVE in November.
“For reasons it isn’t worth getting into – the relationship between him and the boss (Simeone), the minutes played, his motivation right now – it makes you think that the reasonable thing is that if there’s an option that’s good for the player, good for the club, we can look at it.
“I’d love him to stay personally, but I don’t think that’s the player’s idea.”
Previous reports have claimed that Atletico Madrid are still looking to bank €100m if they sell the player but the Daily Record claims that Arsenal and Man Utd are eyeing a ‘try before you buy January deal’.
The Spanish side ‘are prepared to let Joao Felix join an English Premier League club on loan next month as long as the Financial Fair Play costs of the Portugal international’s contract are covered in full by his new employers’.
The Daily Record adds: ‘The amortisation cost on the forward’s seven-year contract amounts to €18m a season with the La Liga club asking for a loan fee of half that sum (£8m) plus the player’s salary to be paid in full. There would be no contractual option to buy.’
AND THE REST…
Manchester United have opened talks with PSV Eindhoven about signing the Netherlands winger Cody Gakpo…Al-Nassr are hopeful they will complete the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo before the January transfer window opens…Man Utd believe they have a chance of finally signing Frenkie de Jong in the summer, but feel Barcelona are trying to increase his value by saying the he is not for sale…Newcastle are interested in signing Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram…Barcelona have no intention of selling Franck Kessie or Spain right-back Hector Bellerin in January.
