How Haaland is influencing Bellingham transfer
FT Desk
- 27 Sept 2022 15:29 BST
- 3 min read
Erling Haaland could prove key in persuading Jude Bellingham to swap Borussia Dortmund for Manchester City ahead of a host of other English clubs and Real Madrid.
Bellingham has been linked with a move away from Dortmund next summer, with the Bundesliga side reportedly willing to accept bids of €93 million for the England midfielder provided it is received in one instalment.
Liverpool were thought to be at the front of the queue, with Arthur Melo's loan deal from Juventus further evidence that they had a more permanent solution for their recent midfield injury crisis up their sleeve.
Jude Bellingham vs Man City 🎯
Is Bellingham headed to the Premier League this summer? 🤔pic.twitter.com/wyVqOdu1Ao— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) April 14, 2022
But Spanish sports daily Marca recently reported that Real Madrid were the reason that Bellingham has thus far failed to extend his current Dortmund contract beyond June 2025.
But City could have an ace in the hole with Haaland. The Norwegian has hit the ground running since swapping Dortmund for City for €60m this summer, scoring 14 goals in 10 games in all competitions at a rate of one every 59 minutes he has played, and he maintains a healthy relationship with Bellingham.
Haaland and Bellingham still friends
The pair played together at Dortmund between 2020 and 2022, and lifted the DFB Cup in their first season in Germany. When Haaland scored the 13th of his 14 goals this season to snatch a 2-1 win for City over BVB in the Champions League two weeks ago, Bellingham was heard to say "f*** sake mate!" in friendly exasperation.
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CBS Sports report that Haaland has already told Bellingham to link up with him at the Etihad, and City coach Pep Guardiola wouldn't take much persuading.
When City met Dortmund in the Champions League two years ago, the Catalan tactician was glowing in his praise.
"I can't believe it, maybe he's a liar!" he said when asked about the then 17-year-old. "He's so good for 17 years old, he's a fantastic player. There was one moment when he didn't get the ball from central defenders, how he shouts and demands that ball to him at 17 means a lot."
