Manchester City wants to sign Jude Bellingham: Will Haaland be included in the deal? | OneFootball

The Englishman could be a force in Pep Guardiola's plans.

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While the football world speculates about a seismic transfer that would send Erling Haaland to Real Madrid, a parallel and equally ambitious plan is being quietly drawn up in Manchester. Pep Guardiola and the City hierarchy are not merely preparing for a potential departure; they are orchestrating a strategic pivot towards a player they believe can redefine their project: Jude Bellingham.

The potential loss of a generational striker in Haaland is seen not just as a void to be filled, but as an opportunity to evolve. Guardiola’s vision, as reports suggest, is to make Bellingham the new cornerstone of the team. The manager envisions the English midfielder exerting a level of influence on the pitch comparable to Haaland's, albeit from a completely different role and tactical perspective. While names like Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé surface in rumor mills, it is Bellingham whom Guardiola personally identifies as the ideal figure to build his next great team around.

Financially, a Haaland sale, potentially reaching €200 million, would provide Manchester City with significant maneuverability. Such a windfall would grant them considerable freedom in the market and offer a clear path to adhering to Financial Fair Play regulations, making a monumental bid for Bellingham a tangible prospect.

This sets the stage for a high-stakes reunion. City's pursuit is layered with history, as the club still feels the sting of Bellingham's previous decision to choose the royal white of Real Madrid over their sky blue. The narrative of reclaiming "the one that got away" is a powerful motivator, especially if his current teammate, Haaland, is the one heading to the Spanish capital. Yet, the ultimate challenge remains monumental: convincing a player living out his childhood dream at the pinnacle of his career to walk away from the Santiago Bernabéu.