Real Madrid are said to be in 'pole position' to land Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham amid ongoing interest from Manchester City, although the deal is 'not done.'
The Athletic have reported that City are yet to make an approach for the 19-year-old and that joining the current European champions is Bellingham's preferred destination.
Valued at close to £130m, it would appear that both clubs are set to go head-to-head in a bid to recruiting the England international, with Liverpool known to have 'cooled' their interest in the player in recent weeks.
READ MORE: 'Scared to admit' - Mohamed Salah's agent shares cryptic Twitter post after latest Liverpool win
READ MORE: Lionel Messi was right all along about Liverpool and they are showing it again
Reports via The Athletic suggest that City representatives see Madrid's public interest as a 'repeated tactic employed by the Spanish media' ahead of the two clubs' Champions League semi-final next week.
Bellingham, 19, has spent the last three years in Germany in a bid to improve his development and is now seen as one of the world's best young midfielders.
Having scored scoring 11 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions, Dortmund are still locked in a title race with long-term rivals Bayern Munich, with the playmaker also having impressed for England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
READ NEXT:
- What Jurgen Klopp told his Liverpool players in the dressing room after Brentford win
- Gakpo admits referee made it 'really difficult' as new Liverpool role addressed
- Jorg Schmadtke eight best signings as Liverpool make move for sporting director
- Jamie Carragher issues one-word response to Gary Neville after flurry of Liverpool tweets
- National media make Man United 'pressure' point after Liverpool beat Brentford
