Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has “already told” his former Borussia Dortmund teammate Jude Bellingham to “join” him at the Etihad, according to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs.
The journalist, who has a mixed record when it comes to reliability, claims that the Citizens are “very much” still in the race for the teenager, along with Liverpool and Real Madrid:
But am told Bellingham has not ‘picked’ Real just yet. He’s keeping his options open. Definitely a move that’s of appeal, but Liverpool and Manchester City still very much involved in an open race. Erling Haaland has already told him to join #MCFC.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) September 27, 2022
Jacobs goes on to say that Chelsea and Manchester United are also interested in Bellingham but they are not frontrunners for the midfielder, who is said to have a €150m (£134m) asking price.
Of course, City should have decent relations with Dortmund following the deal for Haaland, although there is no release clause this time around. The Bundesliga club are unlikely to be the main obstacle, with it being suggested they will accept a lower bid than their current valuation anyway.
Getting Bellingham to agree to the move is the challenge but, with Haaland already greasing the wheels, City may yet come out on top in the battle for the 19-year-old’s signature.