Jude Bellingham is going to be the transfer saga of the summer and Manchester City are well placed to win it.
City are set for a quieter transfer window compared to the mass of exits and arrivals that transpired last summer but that doesn't mean it won't be exciting. The back-line may need a bit of tinkering if Aymeric Laporte is looking to leave and maybe the constant left-back issue will finally be resolved but otherwise, midfield is the position that needs some serious attention.
Pep Guardiola's options, while of immense quality, aren't the most plentiful and it could they could decrease further before too long. Ilkay Gundogan's contract expires in the summer and there have been growing rumblings he could be off to Barcelona, Bernardo Silva has been hoping for a move to Europe for the last two years and things are looking bleak for Kalvin Phillips as he wasn't even trusted to start against Championship opposition in Saturday's FA Cup final in Rodri's absence.
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With Kevin De Bruyne turning 31 by the time the next season starts as well, it's clear the Blues need an injection of fresh blood to keep the midfield fresh and future-proof, just as they did with the attacking positions last year.
Bellingham, of course, is the dream signing. The teenage prodigy has continued to be sensational for Borussia Dortmund and England and has all the skills which would make him fit seamlessly in alongside De Bruyne and Rodri. He's still just 19 and signing him could ensure their midfield remains of the highest quality for the next decade at least.
Out of all of the teams who will want to sign Bellingham, City must surely be the favourites. They offer him the chance to return to his homeland with a near-guarantee of winning trophies and to reunite with his friend Erling Haaland. Additionally, the allure of working with Guardiola must be hard to resist. Bellingham is so good already, imagine how good he could become with the Blues boss' guidance. It's surely crossed his mind.
City are also best-placed financially to win any race. Dortmund are likely to demand well in excess of £100million for their star asset and not many clubs in the world can afford to compete. The ones who may be able to are either in turmoil or not in a good enough position on the pitch to be serious competition.
The only other side that looks like they could pose a threat is Real Madrid. The Champions League kings have long been the prime destination for many a footballer and have a knack for getting the biggest names even if they're not at the peak of their powers.
So what do City do if they do miss out? If Real Madrid steal him away? If he decides to stay in Germany for another year after all? Well, a perfect alternative may well be obvious.
City could rest with their feet up, safely into the final without breaking much of a sweat, on Sunday and watch on as Manchester United struggled to scrape past Brighton. The match ended in heartbreak for the Seagulls as one skyward penalty saw them knocked out in sudden death.
It was a shame because Brighton were much the better side. They created the better chances and dominated possession even though United had their best midfield three of Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen on the pitch.
United could hardly get a touch of the ball because the game was being completely dictated by Alexis Mac Allister. The midfielder has been sublime all season and his Wembley display was just the latest in a long line of classy performances. Not just for Brighton but for Argentina as well, with his contributions vital to them claiming the World Cup.
The 24-year-old is elegant in possession, energetic off the ball, has a wide range of passing and is decisive in the final third. All qualities that would make him well suited to City.
Mac Allister won't come cheap. City experienced first-hand last summer in their futile attempts to sign Marc Cucurella that Brighton demand big prices and don't budge on them. But if the dream of Bellingham doesn't come true, Mac Allister would be a very smart alternative.
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