Erling Haaland has urged Jude Bellingham to join him at the Etihad and more transfer rumours

Jude Bellingham was one of the star performers as England kickstarted their World Cup campaign with a 6-2 victory over Iran.

The Englishman scored the opening goal and ran the show in the middle of the park with sheer panache. The performance was indicative of the quality the youngster possesses, and has once again put a number of clubs on red alert.

According to Ben Jacobs, Borussia Dortmund are prepared to lose Bellingham in the near future. Although several clubs have tried to push for a move in the upcoming January transfer window, Dortmund are planning a summer exit for their prized midfield asset.

Jacobs adds that Man City are among the frontrunners in the race to sign Bellingham, along with Liverpool. But Real Madrid are also thought to be in contention to sign the Englishman, who may plan to join a club that can offer him regular Champions League.

Man City may even have a slight advantage in the contest due to the presence of Erling Haaland. The young Norwegian was one of Bellingham’s close friends during their time together at Dortmund. In fact, Jacobs claims Haaland has already urged Bellingham to join Man City.

He tweeted: “A standout performance from Jude Bellingham. Dortmund planning for a summer 2023 departure. Liverpool and Real Madrid are the frontrunners but it’s an open race. Erling Haaland has already told him to join Manchester City.”

And added: “Bellingham, a bit like Haaland, is also expected to ‘score’ his next move to help add a more dispassionate metric alongside his gut feeling. This may make it tough for teams without #UCL football next season.”

Elsewhere, Pep Guardiola will reportedly continue at the Etihad beyond this season and has decided to start negotiations over a new deal.

That’s according to Sport who claims Guardiola is close to renewing his contract at the Etihad. His new contract will run until 2025, taking his spell with City to nine years.

It’s claimed that along with Guardiola, Manchester City directors Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano have taken the World Cup break to begin with the ‘basis’ for the contract and talk about the plans for the team.

It would be longer than all of his other management experience at Barcelona B, Barcelona and Bayern Munich combined.