Jude Bellingham will snub a move to Manchester City in favour of a switch to 14-time European champions Real Madrid, according to a new report.
The England and Borussia Dortmund superstar had long been expected to make a summer move to Anfield with Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp huge admirers of the teenage midfielder. However, as reported by the ECHO earlier this month, Reds officials have halted their pursuit of Bellingham for the time being in favour of undertaking a more well-rounded approach to their midfied reconstruction this summer.
But according to the Spanish publication AS, the 19-year-old won't be playing in the Premier League next season as he is reportedly set to snub interest from Pep Guardiola's treble-chasing City side in favour of a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.
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The report claims the pursuit of Bellingham's signature is about to enter a "decisive phase" and formal negotiations with Dortmund will commence when the player has officially confirmed his decision.
"The signing of Jude Bellingham by Real Madrid is about to enter its decisive phase," reads the report. "As AS has learned, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder has chosen Real Madrid as his next destination.
"The English footballer considers that the sports option of the white club is the best to continue his career. Therefore, in the near future he will say 'yes I do' to Real Madrid.
"Once the player's approval has been obtained, the white leaders will begin to negotiate the transfer with Borussia Dortmund. Real Madrid has always been clear that the first step in the operation would be to get the 'okay' from Bellingham to start the procedures for his signing.
"They did not want to enter into a bid with Liverpool or Manchester City, the other two clubs interested in the midfielder. So once that first phase is over, now it will be time to negotiate the transfer with Borussia Dortmund."
In the wake of the abandonment of Bellingham, Liverpool have been linked with moves for Chelsea duo Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher, as well as Alex Scott of Bristol City. Brighton duo Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister have also been linked with switches to Anfield.
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