City Pursued Transfer For Jude Bellingham In 2023
During the 2023 summer transfer window, Manchester City had only two targets in Jude Bellingham and Josko Gvardiol. While Gvardiol joined City, Bellingham turned them down to sign with Real Madrid as he left Borussia Dortmund.
\"Guided by my family I spoke to a lot of clubs in my last season at Dortmund ... but when Madrid called I didn\'t have to think twice,\" Bellingham said, which was the closest he\'s ever come to confirming City\'s pursuit.
City is exceptional in what they can offer in terms of salary and their culture along with Pep Guardiola, but it is a challenge to get some players to live in the city of Manchester with its climate and distance to other major European cities.
Bellingham\'s decision appears to be the correct one as he won the Champions League in his first season with Real Madrid while beating City in the knockout stage. Real Madrid leads City 3-2 on aggregate ahead of the second leg of their Champions League tie this season.