Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham was this evening drawn on the alleged interest of Manchester City in his signature last summer.
As much comes ahead of Real locking horns with Pep Guardiola’s City on the continent once more.
Los Blancos are primed to return to action on Wednesday night, when they visit The Etihad for the 2nd leg of the club’s Champions League quarter-final showdown with the tournament holders.
The tie currently sits on a knife-edge, owing to a 3-3 stalemate in the opener in Madrid last week.
Bellingham, for his part, featured from the off in that game, and is expected to do likewise in a little over 24 hours’ time.
The 20-year-old was therefore chosen to take his place alongside head coach Carlo Ancelotti in the official pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
And, amongst a host of noteworthy questions on the part of the media, Bellingham was drawn on Manchester City’s rumoured efforts to sign him in the summer of 2023.
Prior to ultimately linking up with Real Madrid, Bellingham was sought out by a whole host of Europe’s top clubs, amongst them the reigning Premier League champions.
And though the midfielder went on to admit that he did indeed hold discussions with ‘many’ sides, in the end, the decision to make the move to Spain’s capital was an easy one:
“Manchester City’s interest last summer? I spoke to lot of clubs but as soon as Real Madrid came in, it was a no brainer. The project, the future plans, the players. I jumped at the chance to join.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
