Manchester City are reportedly planning a summer swoop for two England internationals: Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund and James Maddison of Leicester City.
The Premier League champions will look to bolster their squad after falling behind Arsenal in the first half of the season.
If they can complete deals for the English midfield duo, they will be an even more formidable force in 2023/24.
It has been widely reported that City are interested in signing Bellingham, but it has also been suggested that Liverpool are leading the race for his signature, despite the fact that he recently ruled out a move to Chelsea.
However, Pep Guardiola has identified the former Birmingham City player as one of his top targets, with the Spaniard wanting more goals from those behind Erling Haaland.
His current main midfield options, Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri, are undeniably talented, but with only four goals between them this season, a move for Bellingham would make a lot of sense.
Since joining Dortmund in 2020, the 19-year-old has scored 20 goals and provided 22 assists in 114 appearances, averaging 0.37 goal contributions per game.
The only stumbling block is his asking price, which is rumored to be around £130 million.
Maddison could be Bellingham’s ideal midfield partner.
Maddison, who has only recently returned from injury, has scored seven goals in 14 league appearances for Leicester this season, after scoring 12 the previous season.
Guardiola has made him, along with Bellingham, one of his top summer targets, according to the Daily Mail.
The 26-year-old is nearing the end of his contract with the Foxes and has so far refused to sign an extension.
As a result, even if Leicester avoids relegation, they are unlikely to retain Maddison after the current season.
Guardiola may be persuaded to sign the attacking midfielder further if Jack Grealish is linked with a move away from the Etihad.
City, on the other hand, will undoubtedly face competition for Maddison’s signature.
Newcastle United made two bids for Maddison last summer, but they fell short of Leicester’s £60 million, putting an end to their pursuit. Arsenal are also long-time admirers of Maddison.
The Magpies, on the other hand, have maintained their interest, raising the prospect of a bidding war between the two mega-rich English clubs at the end of the season.
A team that includes both Bellingham and Grealish is an enticing prospect that would likely make City favorites to dominate the Premier League for years to come.
But, with so much interest in both players, it remains to be seen whether Guardiola’s team can pull off this stunning double swoop.
