Transfer Centre

Real Madrid chief says Jude Bellingham turned down Manchester City move

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 11 October 2023

Real Madrid chief says Bellingham turned down Man City move

Jude Bellingham rejected the chance to join Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in favour of moving to Real Madrid, according to a member of the board of directors at Los Blancos.

One of the members of the board of directors at Real Madrid has claimed that Jude Bellingham turned down the chance to join Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund over the summer.

There was a host of speculation surrounding the England international's future before it was confirmed that the midfielder would be arriving at Real Madrid on a long-term contract.

Bellingham has been in extraordinary form for Los Blancos this season, scoring 10 goals and registering three assists in 10 appearances in all competitions.

According to Jose Manuel Otero, the 20-year-old was wanted by Man City during the summer market, but Real Madrid were always his first choice.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their first goal on September 20, 2023 © Reuters

"Bellingham cost a lot of money, but was he expensive? I don't think so. It's the same as a Rolls Royce. It costs a lot of money, but it is not expensive. What you get for what you pay is very important," he told Blanca Remontada.

"They told us the other day at lunch with Girona. People from Manchester City came to eat and told us they had been talking to Bellingham.

"They said that their father had entertained them a little by giving them hope, but Jude said no, that he wanted to play for Real Madrid.

"That is happening with many players. When the prospect of signing for Real Madrid opens up to them, they forget everything else. Madrid is the best way to achieve glory."

Bellingham has scored eight goals and registered two assists in eight La Liga appearances for Real Madrid in the early stages of the 2023-24 campaign.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their second goal on October 3, 2023 © Reuters

The Englishman has also netted twice and provided one assist in two Champions League games this term, starring in his side's win over Napoli in the competition last time out.

Manchester United and Liverpool are also believed to have been firmly interested in Bellingham over the summer, but Real Madrid won the race to secure his services.

The youngster left Birmingham City for Dortmund in 2020, and he represented the German giants on 132 occasions, scoring 24 goals and registering 25 assists.

Bellingham, who has a contract at Bernabeu until the summer of 2029, is currently with the England squad preparing for the team's upcoming internationals against Australia and Italy.