‘Deja vu’, ‘Let’s just get Enzo Fernandez’ – Many fans react as Real Madrid now believe they have won race to sign £100m Man City target

Manchester City fans have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relays a report that claims Real Madrid are confident they have won the race to sign Jude Bellingham in a £100m deal.

The 19-year-old’s rise to prominence in such a short space of time has been extraordinary. He left his boyhood club Birmingham City to join Dortmund a couple of years ago. Since then, the teenager has established himself as one of the best young players in Europe.

Certainly, the likelihood of Borussia Dortmund receiving a bid for Bellingham they simply cannot turn down is increasing with each game.

He is all set to spark a major bidding war in the summer of 2023, with many top clubs including Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea vying for his signature from Borussia Dortmund.

Spanish giants Real Madrid believe they are closest to pulling off what may prove to be one of the transfer coups of the summer, confident that they have drawn ahead of the ever-growing pack of suitors for Jude Bellingham’s signature.

According to the Sun, the UEFA Champions League champions believe they can pip the likes of City, Chelsea and Liverpool to sign Bellingham, who is set to leave Borussia Dortmund in 2023 after another sensational year.

Indeed, City had long been seen as the favourites to sign Bellingham in 2023. However, the Manchester side now look set to miss out on a major target to a rival club in Madrid, who could soon capture one of Europe’s most exciting midfield talents.

As per the report, Carlo Ancelotti believes that the allure of becoming an icon at Madrid will be enough to secure Bellingham’s signature, with a deal worth over £100m stated to be enough to bring the defender from Dortmund to the Spanish capital next year.

The report was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

“Oh we’ve seen this before 😏”
Credit: @GdpMcfc

“I’m convinced this is the exact same report as this time last year but they’ve taken out Haaland and put in Bellingham. Deja vu 👀.”
Credit: @hughmurray1894

“Heard the same with Haaland!!!”
Credit: @jasonpeachey1

“Well if they’re as confident about him as they were Haaland, I think we’re good..”
Credit: @jparkes1991

“Just get Enzo Fernandez, let him go to Madrid..”
Credit: @Motion_Dlamini

Manchester City show transfer interest in Enzo Fernandez

Manchester City have been mentioned as a potential suitor in the race to sign the highly-rated Benfica and Argentina midfielder, according to recent reports.

The Argentinian midfielder joined Benfica from River Plate for a mere €12m this summer. He immediately became an important cog for the team and caught the eyes of many clubs with his performances. In 18 games in the league and Champions League so far this season, Fernandez has 1 goal and 5 assists against his name (stats via Transfermarkt).

The central midfielder put in eye-catching performances against Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, as Benfica topped their Champions League group. His displays also warranted a national team call-up to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Fernandez lit up the World Cup for Argentina, becoming world Champion at 21 and also winning Young Player of the Tournament.

Man City were one of several clubs being linked with a move for the Benfica midfielder and had sent scouts to watch the Argentine in Champions League action.

City Football Group director Joan Patsy this week claimed Manchester City could have signed the Argentina wonderkid from River Plate before he joined Benfica.

Speaking to Spanish publication Què T’hi Jugues, Patsy admits links between City and the former River Plate midfielder were correct and that City could have signed the all-action Argentinian number 24.

“Man City could’ve signed Enzo Fernández, but what do we do if we have Gundogan, Bernardo and Rodri in the squad? He would’ve cost us less than he did Benfica, but we didn’t have a place and we knew he wouldn’t play…” said Patsy.

City has arguably the best midfield in the world, but the snubbing of Fernandez may come back to bite the Blues as Ilkay Gundogan isn’t getting any younger and is out of contract in the summer, and links with star Bernardo Silva and Barcelona seemingly won’t disappear.

Still only 21-years-old, Enzo Fernandez would be an excellent long-term solution at Manchester City, with manager Pep Guardiola one of the best in the world at nurturing young players.

It is highlighted that Enzo Fernandez is now valued at €35 million by Transfermarkt, but is protected at Benfica by a staggering €120 million release clause.