It seemed unthinkable Manchester City would win the Borussia Dortmund lottery twice in consecutive summers, and that is how things have turned out with Jude Bellingham on his way to Real Madrid.
An initial fee of around £88.5million looks short for someone with such generational talent and, even with proposed add-ons factored in, Bellingham will almost certainly prove to be a snip for the Spanish giants. City understand the feeling better than anyone after securing Erling Haaland for just £51million 12 months ago.
For a while, there was anticipation the two might be reunited in Manchester and, following failed pursuits across the city, that would have been particularly satisfying for an already star-studded City side who are now striving to emulate neighbours Manchester United by getting their hands on a historic treble.
