Manchester City hoped to see a signed Erling Haaland shirt and talks with Pep Guardiola tempt Jude Bellingham into completing a 2023 transfer.
♦ England star available in summer of 2023
♦ Premier League champions were keen
♦ Midfielder ended up heading to Spain
WHAT HAPPENED?
The reigning Premier League champions reportedly made the England international a top target after agreeing to let former club captain Ilkay Gundogan leave for Barcelona as a free agent. City had not made a play for Bellingham when he left Birmingham for Borussia Dortmund in 2020 , but joined arch-rivals Manchester United in the hunt for a much sought-after signature three years later.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
According to the Daily Star, City embarked on a “charm offensive” several months before the summer transfer window opened. When facing Dortmund in the group stage of the Champions League, they presented Bellingham with a shirt signed by his former BVB team-mate Haaland.
DID YOU KNOW?
Bellingham is said to have been invited to the City dressing room to accept that gift, while “face-to-face talks” were held with Guardiola as the Catalan boss endeavoured to convince the hottest of prospects that his team are “more complete and mature” than Real Madrid.
TELL ME MORE
City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak was reportedly confident that a deal could be done for Bellingham, with Guardiola’s reputation expected to work in their favour – as the Premier League giants closed in on a historic treble.
WHAT NEXT?
Bellingham was, however, to leave those in Manchester disappointed as he left Dortmund for Madrid. City were quick to distance themselves from links to Bellingham when the Real deal was announced, but that is considered to have been a “desperate attempt to save face” after missing out to La Liga heavyweights who are famed for their ‘Galacticos’ recruitment model.