Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has showered Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham with praise, with the Catalan lauding the rumoured Liverpool target as a talent who has everything in his locker.
Speaking to the press via the Guardian ahead of City’s UEFA Champions League clash, the four-time Premier League winner was full of admiration for Bellingham following a standout season from the 19-year-old midfielder, with Guardiola lauding Bellingham’s mentality and leadership qualities.
The Dortmund star has been one of the standout players in Europe this season with Bellingham bagging eight goals in all competitions. And according to the Athletic, the midfielder is Liverpool’s top priority for the 2023 summer transfer window, which could result in a record transfer for a central midfielder.
However, reports currently indicate that Dortmund would accept a fee of around £120m for Bellingham, obliterating the British transfer record set by Jack Grealish in 2020 and going way over what Manchester United paid to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus back in 2017, the current record transfer for a midfielder.
Indeed, Bellingham’s price could continue to rise if the 19-year-old maintains this level of form. And according to Guardiola, the midfielder’s development at Dortmund has been nothing short of incredible, with he youngster now a talent who has a complete package ahead of 2023.
Guardiola said about Bellingham: “He was 17 when he arrived but it was not just about his quality, how he was leading, his kicking, going to the referee. This guy was something special in terms of his mentality. Now he is 19 and he is already one of the captains. The quality, everybody knows it. The whole package is really good.”
Guardiola lauding Bellingham will do little to aid Liverpool’s pursuit
Liverpool’s interest in Bellingham has been well-documented for the best part of a year, yet Guardiola’s high praise for the midfielder will do little to aid the Reds’ pursuit to sign the teenager, who could easily become the hottest property in football next year.
With a 2023 exit from Dortmund more than likely at this stage of the youngster’s career, Liverpool will have to break the bank twice over if they’re to beat their rivals to sign Bellingham, and following Guardiola’s latest comments, the chase to sign the England international could be a difficult one for Jurgen Klopp.
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