Man City to challenge Liverpool in Bellingham pursuit

Manchester City are ready to challenge Liverpool in the race to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, reports the Daily Star on Sunday. 

Bellingham has made an exceptional start to his second season with Borussia Dortmund, with a WhoScored rating of 7.49 ranking among the top 15 players in the Bundesliga. 

And his performances in Germany haven't gone unnoticed, with the Premier League powerhouse pair keen to lure Bellingham back to England. 

The 18-year-old has shone in an England shirt and is now a fully fledged international under Gareth Southgate, which has boosted his reputation. 

City boss Pep Guardiola is aware he needs to look to a long-term successor for Fernandinho in the middle of the park, the Brazilian now 36 and with just a year left to run on his current deal at the Etihad Stadium. 

However, Liverpool are also in the running to land the teenage sensation, with head coach Jurgen Klopp a huge admirer of Bellingham. 

Chelsea and Bayern Munich have also been heavily linked with a move for the Borussia Dortmund midfielder as Europe's elite look to land the rising star. 

Bellingham signed a contract extension with Borussia Dortmund earlier this year and he has four years left to run on his current deal, with the Bundesliga side under no pressure to sell.